entrance
B1Formal to Neutral
Definition
Meaning
The main opening through which you go into a place such as a building, room, or vehicle.
The act of entering a place or group, or the right/authorisation to enter; also, to fill someone with wonder and delight, holding their complete attention.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
This is a homographic noun-verb pair with stress shift (NOUN: /ˈɛntrəns/; VERB: /ɛnˈtrɑːns/) and vastly different meanings. The noun relates to physical/abstract entry. The verb means to captivate.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slight spelling variations exist for derived forms (e.g., 'entrancing' vs. 'entrancingly'). The noun usage is identical. The verb is slightly more common in literary/formal contexts in both varieties.
Connotations
The noun is purely functional. The verb carries connotations of magic, beauty, or awe-inspiring spectacle.
Frequency
The noun is extremely high frequency. The verb is mid-to-low frequency, found more in written descriptions than everyday speech.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[the entrance] + [to/of] + [building/place][someone] + [was entranced] + [by/with] + [something][something] + [entrances] + [someone]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “make a grand entrance”
- “refused entrance”
- “entrance to the profession”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to market entry ('barriers to entrance'), building access, or joining a company.
Academic
Used in architecture (building design), theatre (stage directions), or sociology (group membership).
Everyday
Refers to the door or gate you use to go into shops, homes, or events.
Technical
In fluid dynamics: 'entrance length'; in law: 'right of entrance'.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The pianist's performance entranced the entire audience.
- She stood entranced by the breathtaking view from the cliff.
- The old sailor's tales would entrance the children for hours.
American English
- The magician's trick completely entranced the crowd.
- I was entranced by the vivid colors of the sunset.
- His voice has a quality that can entrance even the harshest critic.
adverb
British English
- She smiled entrancingly, capturing everyone's attention.
- The light danced entrancingly on the water's surface.
- He spoke entrancingly of distant lands.
American English
- The fireflies flickered entrancingly in the summer night.
- The figure skater moved entrancingly across the ice.
- The aroma from the bakery wafted entrancingly down the street.
adjective
British English
- The entrancing melody floated through the open window.
- She had an entrancing smile that lit up the room.
- The documentary offered an entrancing glimpse into the deep sea.
American English
- The view from the mountaintop was absolutely entrancing.
- He told an entrancing story about his travels.
- The museum's new light exhibit is truly entrancing.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The main entrance is at the front of the school.
- We waited at the entrance to the cinema.
- The museum entrance is free for children.
- Please use the side entrance while the main door is being repaired.
- There's a small fee for entrance to the park.
- He made a dramatic entrance at the party.
- The architecture of the building's entrance is remarkably ornate.
- She gained entrance to the exclusive club through a family connection.
- The actor's sudden entrance onto the stage startled the audience.
- The new policy creates significant barriers to entrance for smaller competitors.
- Entranced by the symphony, the couple sat in silent rapture for the entire performance.
- The labyrinth's secret entrance was concealed behind a cascading waterfall.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a TRANCE. To be EN-TRANCED is to be put INTO a trance by something wonderful.
Conceptual Metaphor
BEGINNING IS ENTERING A SPACE (e.g., 'entrance to a career'); FASCINATION IS BEING SPELLBOUND.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'entrance' (вход) и 'entry' (запись, ввод данных).
- Глагол 'to entrance' не имеет отношения к входу, это 'очаровывать, приводить в восторг'.
- Существительное 'entrance' чаще означает физический вход, чем акт входа (для акта иногда используют 'entry').
Common Mistakes
- Using the noun pronunciation for the verb: 'He EN-tranced me' (incorrect) vs. 'He en-TRANCED me' (correct).
- Using 'entrance' as a verb to mean 'to enter': 'He entranced the room' (incorrect). It must be 'He entered the room'.
- Confusing 'entrance' (way in) with 'entry' (act of entering or an item in a list).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'entrance' as a verb?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Often interchangeable for the act of entering, but 'entrance' is more common for physical doorways/gates. 'Entry' is used for recording data ('data entry'), gaining admission ('entry into university'), or a brief item in a text ('diary entry').
English has a pattern of stress shift for some noun-verb pairs (e.g., RECord (n) / reCORD (v); CONduct (n) / conDUCT (v)). 'Entrance' follows this pattern to distinguish the two meanings.
Not directly. The related adjective is 'entrancing', derived from the verb, meaning 'captivating'. The noun does not have a direct adjective form; you would use 'entrance' attributively (e.g., 'entrance door', 'entrance hall').
It is more common in formal or literary contexts than in casual conversation. In everyday speech, synonyms like 'captivate', 'fascinate', or 'mesmerise' might be used more frequently.