lodge
B1Neutral to formal
Definition
Meaning
A small house or building, typically in a rural or forested area, used for temporary or holiday accommodation; also, a local branch of a society.
To formally make a complaint or request; to become fixed or embedded in a place; to provide someone with a place to stay temporarily.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
"Lodge" as a noun primarily refers to a building, often with connotations of being rustic, temporary, or belonging to an organization. As a verb, its meanings split into three main areas: providing/staying in accommodation, making a formal statement, and becoming stuck/embedded.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'lodge' is often used for a gatekeeper's or gamekeeper's cottage; in the US, it's strongly associated with large, rustic vacation buildings (e.g., ski lodge, hunting lodge). The verb 'to lodge a complaint' is common in both.
Connotations
UK: Often smaller, quaint, connected to an estate. US: Larger, commercial, recreational, often in wilderness settings.
Frequency
The noun sense is more frequent in US English due to the prevalence of recreational lodges. The verb sense 'to formally submit' is equally common.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
lodge sth (with sb/sth)lodge (sth) (in/against sth)lodge (with sb)lodge sb (in sth)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “lodge in the memory”
- “lodge a bullet”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Formally submitting documents or complaints (e.g., 'lodge the tax return').
Academic
Rare; may appear in historical contexts (e.g., 'the porter's lodge').
Everyday
Referring to a holiday cabin or a place to stay.
Technical
In dentistry/medicine: 'a foreign object lodged in the throat'.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We plan to lodge our planning application next week.
- The bullet lodged in the wall.
- He's lodging with his aunt in Croydon.
American English
- They decided to lodge an appeal with the court.
- A piece of popcorn got lodged in her throat.
- Students can lodge in campus residences.
adverb
British English
- N/A (not standard)
American English
- N/A (not standard)
adjective
British English
- N/A (not standard)
American English
- N/A (not standard)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We have a small lodge by the lake.
- He lodged with a family in London.
- The hikers stayed in a mountain lodge for the night.
- You need to lodge the application before Friday.
- The society holds its meetings at the local Masonic lodge.
- She formally lodged a complaint about the noisy neighbours.
- A shard of glass had become lodged in the tyre's tread.
- The memory of that day lodged indelibly in his consciousness.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a LODGE as a LOG cabin where you LODGE a complaint in the guest book.
Conceptual Metaphor
IDEAS ARE OBJECTS (The fact lodged in his mind). PROBLEMS ARE OBJECTS (She lodged a complaint).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'ложь' (falsehood). The Russian 'лодж' is a direct borrowing for 'luxury lodge'. The verb 'to lodge' is not 'ложиться' (to lie down). 'Lodge' as a building is closer to 'коттедж', 'домик', 'сторожка'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'I lodged a complaint to the manager.' Correct: 'I lodged a complaint with the manager.'
- Incorrect: 'We stayed in a lodge hotel.' (redundant) Correct: 'We stayed in a lodge.'
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'lodge' used in the sense of 'becoming stuck'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends. As a noun for a building, it's neutral. As a verb meaning 'to formally submit', it's quite formal ('lodge a complaint').
A lodge is typically smaller, located in a natural setting (mountains, forest), and often has a rustic or informal atmosphere compared to a standard hotel.
Typically no. A 'lodge' implies temporary or seasonal accommodation, or a building for a specific purpose (e.g., a gatekeeper's lodge).
It means to pay to live in someone's house as a lodger, usually in a rented room, on a temporary or medium-term basis.