cloakroom: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, polite, British English
Quick answer
What does “cloakroom” mean?
A room in a public building where coats, hats, luggage, or umbrellas can be left temporarily, usually for a fee or as a courtesy.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A room in a public building where coats, hats, luggage, or umbrellas can be left temporarily, usually for a fee or as a courtesy.
1. (British) A polite term for a room containing toilets (lavatories). 2. (Legislative) In a parliament, a room where members can hang their cloaks and gather informally.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'cloakroom' commonly means both a coat check room and a toilet (especially in polite or public contexts like restaurants, theatres, or older homes). In American English, it almost exclusively means a room for checking coats and bags. Americans use 'coatroom', 'coat check', or 'checkroom' more frequently for this purpose.
Connotations
British: Can carry a slightly old-fashioned, genteel, or institutional connotation. As a euphemism for toilet, it is polite. American: Primarily functional; the term itself may sound formal or British-influenced.
Frequency
Higher frequency in British English due to its dual meaning. Rare in everyday American English, where 'coat check' is standard.
Grammar
How to Use “cloakroom” in a Sentence
Please leave your bags in the cloakroom.Is there a cloakroom available?They charge a fee for the cloakroom.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cloakroom” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The event was cloaked in secrecy. (Note: 'cloaked' is from 'cloak', not 'cloakroom')
American English
- The summit was cloaked in tight security. (Note: 'cloaked' is from 'cloak', not 'cloakroom')
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A for 'cloakroom'. 'Cloakroom' is only a noun.
American English
- N/A for 'cloakroom'. 'Cloakroom' is only a noun.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used in event planning: 'Cloakroom services will be provided for attendees.'
Academic
Rare, except in historical or architectural contexts describing building features.
Everyday
Common in British English for both coats and toilets. In American English, limited to formal venues (theatres, galas).
Technical
Used in facilities management and venue planning specifications.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cloakroom”
- Using 'cloakroom' in AmE to mean 'toilet' will cause confusion.
- Confusing it with 'changing room' or 'locker room'.
- Assuming it's free; often there's a small charge or tip expected.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A changing room (or locker room) is for changing clothes, often for sports. A cloakroom is primarily for temporary storage of outerwear and bags.
Often, yes. In many theatres, museums, or hotels, there is a small fixed fee or an expectation to tip the attendant. Sometimes it's a free courtesy service.
It's a euphemism from a more formal, Victorian-era tendency to avoid direct reference to bodily functions. Similar euphemisms include 'lavatory', 'loo', and 'water closet'.
'Coat check' is the most common and natural term. 'Coatroom' is also used, and 'checkroom' is sometimes seen in larger facilities like museums or airports.
A room in a public building where coats, hats, luggage, or umbrellas can be left temporarily, usually for a fee or as a courtesy.
Cloakroom is usually formal, polite, british english in register.
Cloakroom: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkləʊk.ruːm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkloʊk.ruːm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A cloak-and-dagger affair (related to 'cloak', not 'cloakroom')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a room in a castle where guests would hang their heavy CLOAKs before entering the main hall. The 'room' for your 'cloak'.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PLACE FOR TEMPORARY DEPOSIT (of objects or bodily functions, via euphemism).
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English can 'cloakroom' commonly refer to a toilet?