Room
/ruːm/
Definitions
3 meaningsAn enclosed space within a building, separated by walls and used for a particular purpose.
/ruːm/
An enclosed space within a building.
The living room is where the family gathers to watch TV.
💡 Simply: A room is like a little box inside a house or building where you can do things like sleep, eat, or play. Think of your bedroom or the living room!
👶 For kids: A room is a space inside a house where you can play or sleep!
More Examples
She spent the entire afternoon cleaning her room.
The hotel had spacious rooms with a view of the ocean.
How It's Used
"The house has five rooms."
"We rented a room in a shared apartment."
Space or capacity available for something.
/ruːm/
Sufficient space or opportunity.
There's room for debate on that issue.
💡 Simply: Sometimes 'room' means there's space or a chance for something. Like, 'There's room for more people at the table' means there's space, and 'There's room for improvement' means there's a chance to make things better.
👶 For kids: If there's 'room' for something, it means you have enough space or a chance to do something better!
More Examples
The car has enough room to accommodate five passengers.
I need some room to breathe.
How It's Used
"There is room for improvement."
"The company has room to grow."
To live or stay in a room, especially as a lodger.
/ruːm/
To occupy a room.
They roomed in the same dorm during their freshman year.
💡 Simply: To 'room' means to live or stay in a room, usually in a shared house or boarding place, like staying in a college dorm.
👶 For kids: To 'room' means to live or stay in a room!
More Examples
He roomed with a friend to save on rent.
During the conference, attendees roomed at the hotel.
How It's Used
"We roomed together during college."
"He roomed at the inn."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
make room
To create space for someone or something.
"Please make room on the shelf for the new books."
room and board
Accommodation and meals, especially when provided together.
"The cost includes room and board."
From Old English *rūm* 'space, area', related to German Raum and Dutch ruimte. Ultimately from Proto-Germanic *rūmą-.
The word 'room' has been used in English since Old English, and its meaning has largely remained consistent, referring to an enclosed space. In historical texts, it often indicated a division within a larger structure.
Memory tip
Imagine a box within a house. That's a room!
Word Origin
"space, area"