hostelry: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2 (low frequency, specialized vocabulary)Formal, literary, or archaic. Often used to evoke a historical or quaint setting.
Quick answer
What does “hostelry” mean?
An old-fashioned or formal word for a hotel or inn.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An old-fashioned or formal word for a hotel or inn.
The business or trade of running inns or hotels; the hospitality industry (archaic usage).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally archaic/formal in both varieties, but might appear slightly more in British historical contexts. No significant difference in modern usage.
Connotations
Evokes medieval or historical settings, often associated with coaching inns, taverns, or rural establishments.
Frequency
Very low frequency in contemporary language. Found almost exclusively in historical novels, period dramas, or poetic/literary contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “hostelry” in a Sentence
stayed at a/the + hostelrythe hostelry + of + [place name]found lodgings at a + hostelryVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hostelry” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A. The verb 'hostel' is obsolete.
American English
- N/A. The verb 'hostel' is obsolete.
adverb
British English
- N/A.
American English
- N/A.
adjective
British English
- N/A. The adjectival form is 'hostelry-like' (non-standard).
American English
- N/A. The adjectival form is 'hostelry-like' (non-standard).
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used in modern business contexts.
Academic
Used in historical, literary, or hospitality history studies.
Everyday
Extremely rare; would sound affected or humorous.
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hostelry”
Strong
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hostelry”
- Using it in modern contexts (sounds pretentious).
- Confusing it with 'hostel' (budget accommodation).
- Spelling: 'hostelery' (common misspelling).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A 'hostelry' is an old-fashioned inn or hotel, often with character. A 'hostel' is modern budget accommodation, often with shared dormitories.
Only in literary, historical, or humorous contexts to evoke a specific old-world atmosphere. Using it in everyday modern speech would sound very unnatural.
In British English: /ˈhɒstəlri/. In American English: /ˈhɑːstəlri/. The stress is on the first syllable.
Primarily yes, it refers to the establishment itself. Archaically, it could also refer to the trade of running inns, but this usage is now obsolete.
An old-fashioned or formal word for a hotel or inn.
Hostelry is usually formal, literary, or archaic. often used to evoke a historical or quaint setting. in register.
Hostelry: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɒstəlri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɑːstəlri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “There is no room at the inn/hostelry (biblical allusion adapted).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'hostelry' sounds like an old, 'hostel' + 'ry' (like 'bakery' but for hosting guests).
Conceptual Metaphor
A HOSTELRY IS A HISTORICAL CONTAINER FOR TRAVELLERS.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'hostelry' be most naturally used today?