chest of drawers: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral. Common in everyday domestic contexts; slightly formal or traditional compared to 'dresser' or 'drawers'.
Quick answer
What does “chest of drawers” mean?
A piece of furniture with multiple horizontal drawers stacked one above another, used for storing clothes.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A piece of furniture with multiple horizontal drawers stacked one above another, used for storing clothes.
By conceptual metonymy, can refer to the unit of storage itself (e.g., 'a chest of drawers full of linens'). In rare figurative use, may describe a layered or compartmentalized structure.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is standard in both. In the UK, 'tallboy' is sometimes used for a taller, two-section chest. In the US, 'bureau' or 'dresser' are more common near-synonyms, with 'dresser' often implying a piece with a mirror.
Connotations
Slightly more traditional/formal in both variants. In the US, may evoke a more classic or antique style.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in UK English. In the US, 'dresser' is more frequent in everyday speech.
Grammar
How to Use “chest of drawers” in a Sentence
There is a [adjective] chest of drawers in [location].She keeps her [items] in the chest of drawers.The chest of drawers [verb, e.g., stood, wobbled] by the wall.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in furniture retail, interior design, and removal services.
Academic
Rare. May appear in historical, sociological, or design studies discussing domestic material culture.
Everyday
Very common in discussions of home furnishings, bedroom organisation, and moving house.
Technical
Used in carpentry, furniture making, and antique restoration.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chest of drawers”
- Using plural verb with the singular noun ('The chest of drawers are...' is wrong).
- Misspelling as 'chest of draw*e*rs'.
- Confusing with 'chest' alone, which can mean a large strong box.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is grammatically singular ('The chest of drawers is heavy'). The plural is 'chests of drawers'.
A 'dresser' (primarily US) often has a mirror attached and may be wider. A 'chest of drawers' is typically a vertical stack of drawers without a mirror.
In context, yes (e.g., 'the bedroom chest'), but 'chest' alone can also mean a large strong box or the front part of the body, so clarity is needed.
In British English, it's /ˈdrɔːz/. In American English, it's often /ˈdrɔːrz/, with a more pronounced 'r' sound.
A piece of furniture with multiple horizontal drawers stacked one above another, used for storing clothes.
Chest of drawers is usually neutral. common in everyday domestic contexts; slightly formal or traditional compared to 'dresser' or 'drawers'. in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A CHEST (box) OF DRAWERS (pulling compartments). It's a box made of pull-out boxes.
Conceptual Metaphor
STORAGE IS A CONTAINER; ORGANISATION IS LAYERING.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the most precise definition of 'chest of drawers'?