double bed
C1Neutral / Everyday
Definition
Meaning
A bed designed to sleep two people, typically measuring approximately 4 feet 6 inches (137 cm) wide.
A bed for two, as distinct from a single or twin bed; a standard piece of bedroom furniture for couples.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A "double bed" refers to the size/category of bed, not necessarily the fact that two people are sleeping in it. One person can also sleep in a double bed.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is identical and standard in both varieties. In technical specifications, dimensions are often given in metric in the UK and imperial in the US, but the category name is the same.
Connotations
Neutral; a standard, expected size for a couple's bedroom. No special connotation.
Frequency
Extremely high frequency in both varieties, as it is a fundamental household item.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
book + for + [number] + people + double bedhave + a + double bed + in + [room]sleep + in + a + double bedVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in hospitality (hotels), furniture retail, and property rental listings.
Academic
Rare outside specific studies in design, ergonomics, or sociology of the household.
Everyday
Extremely common when discussing home furnishing, hotel bookings, and living arrangements.
Technical
Used in furniture manufacturing, interior design, and building regulations (room sizes).
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- We stayed in a double-bed room.
American English
- We need a double-bed frame.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The hotel room has a double bed.
- We bought a new double bed.
- Does the apartment come with a double bed or two singles?
- They upgraded from a single to a double bed for more space.
- When booking, ensure you request a double bed, as some rooms are configured with twins.
- The room was too small to accommodate a proper double bed comfortably.
- The architectural plans specify a minimum bedroom width to fit a standard double bed with bedside tables.
- Market analysis shows a growing preference for king-size over traditional double beds among new homeowners.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
DOUBLE means 'two', and a DOUBLE BED is for TWO people.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMFORT IS SPACE ('We upgraded to a double bed for more comfort').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate literally as *'двойная кровать'*. The standard Russian term is 'двуспальная кровать'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'double bedroom' to mean a room *with* a double bed, which is correct, but confusing it for 'twin bedroom' (with two single beds).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary distinguishing feature of a 'double bed'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in American English, 'full bed' is a common synonym for 'double bed'. In the UK, 'double bed' is almost exclusively used.
Yes, absolutely. The term defines the size, not the number of occupants.
A king-size bed is wider (and sometimes longer) than a standard double bed. A UK king-size is wider than a UK double; a US king is significantly larger than a US double/full.
Typically, yes. A 'double room' usually contains one double bed for two people. However, it's always best to check the specific bed configuration, as some hotels may use 'double' to mean a room for two people with two single beds.