hideaway bed: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, Commercial
Quick answer
What does “hideaway bed” mean?
A bed that can be folded or stored out of sight when not in use, typically within a piece of furniture.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A bed that can be folded or stored out of sight when not in use, typically within a piece of furniture.
A piece of furniture, such as a sofa, cabinet, or wall unit, that contains a bed which can be concealed to save space in a room.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'hideaway bed' is common, but 'hide-a-bed' is also used, often influenced by American marketing. In American English, 'hide-a-bed' and 'sofa bed' are more frequent, with 'hideaway bed' being a more descriptive term.
Connotations
Both varieties share connotations of practicality, space-saving, and sometimes a compromise on comfort compared to a standard bed.
Frequency
The term is more common in American English, largely due to the influence of the Murphy bed (a specific type of wall-mounted hideaway bed). In British English, 'sofa bed' or 'pull-out bed' are more frequent in everyday speech.
Grammar
How to Use “hideaway bed” in a Sentence
The [FURNITURE] contains a hideaway bed.We slept on the hideaway bed.They installed a hideaway bed in the wall.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hideaway bed” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
American English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
American English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- [Rarely used adjectivally. Prefer compound noun or 'hideaway' as modifier, e.g., 'hideaway bed mechanism']
American English
- [Rarely used adjectivally. Prefer compound noun or 'hideaway' as modifier, e.g., 'hideaway bed unit']
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in furniture retail, real estate listings (e.g., 'studio apartment with a hideaway bed'), and hospitality for compact rooms.
Academic
Rarely used. Might appear in design, architecture, or ergonomics papers discussing space optimization.
Everyday
Used when discussing small living spaces, guest rooms, or multi-functional furniture.
Technical
Used in furniture design and manufacturing specifications.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hideaway bed”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hideaway bed”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hideaway bed”
- Using 'hideout bed' (incorrect).
- Confusing it with 'bunk bed' (a different type).
- Using it as a verb, e.g., 'We will hideaway the bed' (incorrect; use 'fold away' or 'put away').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A sofa bed is a common type of hideaway bed, but 'hideaway bed' is a broader term. It can also refer to beds that fold into walls (Murphy beds), cabinets, or other furniture.
Comfort varies greatly. High-quality models with good mattresses can be comfortable, but many cheaper or older models are less so than a standard bed.
A Murphy bed is a specific type of hideaway bed that pivots on a hinge and folds vertically into a wall or cabinet. 'Hideaway bed' is the general category.
It is most common in marketing and descriptive contexts for furniture, especially in North America. In casual British English, 'sofa bed' or 'pull-out bed' are more frequent.
A bed that can be folded or stored out of sight when not in use, typically within a piece of furniture.
Hideaway bed is usually informal, commercial in register.
Hideaway bed: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhaɪdəweɪ bɛd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhaɪdəˌweɪ bɛd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No specific idioms. The term is literal.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a bed that wants to play 'hide and seek' – it's a HIDE-AWAY bed.
Conceptual Metaphor
FURNITURE IS A CONTAINER (the bed is contained/hidden within another object).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a hideaway bed?