brownstone: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal/informal, often used in real estate, architectural, and cultural contexts.
Quick answer
What does “brownstone” mean?
A type of reddish-brown sandstone used historically as a building material.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of reddish-brown sandstone used historically as a building material.
A multi-story row house or townhouse, typically in a historic or upscale urban neighbourhood, whose front facade is built from or faced with brownstone. It strongly connotes a specific architectural style and urban lifestyle, particularly in northeastern US cities.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is rarely used in British English outside of architectural or historical discussions about the material itself. In American English, it is a common term for a type of urban dwelling.
Connotations
In the UK, 'brownstone' has no strong cultural connotations. In the US, especially in NYC and Boston, it connotes affluent, established, urban neighbourhoods.
Frequency
Very high frequency in US English, particularly in the Northeast. Extremely low frequency in general UK English.
Grammar
How to Use “brownstone” in a Sentence
They bought a [brownstone] in [neighbourhood].The [street] is lined with [adjective] brownstones.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “brownstone” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The quarry supplied brownstone blocks for the restoration.
American English
- They dreamed of a brownstone lifestyle in the West Village.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In real estate listings and property development discussions, especially in urban markets.
Academic
In architectural history, urban studies, and sociology texts discussing housing typologies and gentrification.
Everyday
Used by people describing where they live, buy, or visit, especially in cities like New York, Boston, Philadelphia.
Technical
In geology and historic preservation to describe the specific Triassic/Jurassic sandstone and its use as a building material.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “brownstone”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “brownstone”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “brownstone”
- Using 'brownstone' to describe any stone building (it's specific to the sandstone and its architectural use).
- Confusing it with 'brick house'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, a brownstone is a specific type of multi-story house, often subdivided into apartments or floors. It refers to the building itself.
Only if it is built with or faced with actual brownstone sandstone and conforms to the traditional architectural style. A modern building imitating the style might be called 'brownstone-style'.
Extensive deposits of this sandstone were quarried and used for construction in the 19th century, shaping the architectural character of neighbourhoods like Brooklyn Heights, Harlem, and the Upper West Side.
No, it is not standardly used as a verb. It functions primarily as a noun (the house or the stone) and occasionally as an adjective.
A type of reddish-brown sandstone used historically as a building material.
Brownstone is usually formal/informal, often used in real estate, architectural, and cultural contexts. in register.
Brownstone: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbraʊnstəʊn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbraʊnstoʊn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[none directly, but often appears in phrases like 'brownstone Brooklyn' denoting a specific affluent, gentrified area]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think BROWN STONE: a house built from brown-coloured stone.
Conceptual Metaphor
HOUSE IS A STATUS SYMBOL; URBAN HISTORY IS EMBEDDED IN ARCHITECTURE.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'brownstone' MOST commonly and specifically used?