double occupancy: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumFormal/Technical (hospitality, travel), Semi-formal (booking contexts)
Quick answer
What does “double occupancy” mean?
A room rate or arrangement for two people sharing a single hotel room or cabin.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A room rate or arrangement for two people sharing a single hotel room or cabin.
A term used in hospitality, travel, and accommodation to denote pricing, booking, or capacity based on two persons using one room, bed, or unit. It can also refer to the physical state of a room being occupied by two people.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference. UK English may more frequently encounter 'twin occupancy' for two beds, but 'double occupancy' remains standard for the pricing concept.
Connotations
Neutral commercial/technical term in both variants.
Frequency
Equally common in both UK and US travel and hospitality industries.
Grammar
How to Use “double occupancy” in a Sentence
The price is based on double occupancy.Rates are quoted for double occupancy.A supplement applies for single occupancy.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “double occupancy” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Can we double-occupy this cabin?
- The room is configured to double-occupy.
American English
- We can double-occupy that suite.
- The policy allows us to double-occupy.
adverb
British English
- The room is priced double-occupancy.
- They travelled double-occupancy to save costs.
American English
- You must book double-occupancy.
- The fare is calculated double-occupancy.
adjective
British English
- The double-occupancy rate is quite reasonable.
- We offer double-occupancy discounts.
American English
- What's the double-occupancy price?
- Double-occupancy cabins are sold out.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In hotel and tour operator brochures, contracts, and pricing sheets: 'The conference package is £500 per delegate, based on double occupancy.'
Academic
Rare; may appear in tourism, hospitality management, or demographic studies discussing accommodation density.
Everyday
When booking holidays: 'Is that price for double occupancy, or do we pay extra for the second person?'
Technical
Core term in Global Distribution Systems (GDS) codes and hotel revenue management.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “double occupancy”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “double occupancy”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “double occupancy”
- Using 'double occupation' (implies military or political takeover).
- Saying 'a double occupancy room' instead of 'a room at a double occupancy rate'.
- Confusing it with 'double room' (a type of room) vs. 'double occupancy' (a pricing condition).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not necessarily. It refers to the number of occupants (two). The room could have one double bed or two twin beds. The room type (double/twin) is a separate specification.
Yes, you can, but you will usually still pay the full 'double occupancy' rate, which is often cheaper than paying a 'single occupancy' rate plus a high single supplement. Always check the policy.
They are linked. 'Per person' prices often assume double occupancy (i.e., the total room cost is split between two people). The 'per person' price will be higher if based on single occupancy.
The direct opposite is 'single occupancy', meaning one person using a room typically meant for two, often at a higher rate per person.
A room rate or arrangement for two people sharing a single hotel room or cabin.
Double occupancy is usually formal/technical (hospitality, travel), semi-formal (booking contexts) in register.
Double occupancy: in British English it is pronounced /ˌdʌb.l̩ ˈɒk.jə.pən.si/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌdʌb.l̩ ˈɑː.kjə.pən.si/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None directly associated]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a DOUBLE bed being used by two people—that's DOUBLE OCCUPANCY. The price 'doubles' from single to double? No, it's often cheaper per person!
Conceptual Metaphor
ACCOMMODATION IS A CONTAINER (the room) with a CAPACITY (number of occupants) determining its VALUE (price).
Practice
Quiz
What does 'double occupancy' specifically refer to in a hotel context?