parlour: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, somewhat dated or historical in its primary sense.
Quick answer
What does “parlour” mean?
A formal sitting room or reception room in a private house, used for receiving guests and special occasions.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A formal sitting room or reception room in a private house, used for receiving guests and special occasions.
A room or establishment where a specific type of business or service is conducted, often with a specialised, sometimes historical, connotation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling. The primary difference is that 'parlour' is the British English spelling, while 'parlor' is the American English spelling. This applies across all meanings.
Connotations
Similar connotations in both varieties, though the historical 'room in a house' meaning may be slightly more retained in British cultural memory (e.g., in period dramas).
Frequency
The word is equally low-frequency in both varieties outside of specific compounds. The British spelling is more common in Commonwealth countries.
Grammar
How to Use “parlour” in a Sentence
[compound noun]: parlour + noun (parlour game)[prepositional phrase]: in/into the parlour[possessive]: the house's parlourVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “parlour” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A - 'parlour' is not used as a verb.
American English
- N/A - 'parlor' is not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- N/A - 'parlour' is not used as an adverb.
American English
- N/A - 'parlor' is not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- They played a few old-fashioned parlour games after dinner.
- The house still had its original parlour fireplace.
American English
- He entertained us with some clever parlor tricks.
- The Victorian home featured a formal parlor suite.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in names of small, specialised service businesses: 'Sunset Beauty Parlour', 'Joe's Tattoo Parlour'.
Academic
Almost never used except in historical or sociological contexts discussing domestic architecture or consumer culture.
Everyday
Rare in modern conversation about one's own home. Used for specific types of shops: 'Let's get an ice cream at the parlour on Main Street.'
Technical
Not used in technical language outside of historical architectural descriptions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “parlour”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “parlour”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “parlour”
- Spelling it as 'parlor' in British English contexts.
- Using it to describe a modern, casual living room.
- Pronouncing the 'r' strongly in non-rhotic (British) accents.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, when referring to a room in a house, it is considered dated or historical. However, it remains current in specific compound nouns like 'beauty parlour' or 'tattoo parlour'.
A parlour is a formal room specifically for entertaining guests, often kept for special occasions. A living room is a general, everyday family room for relaxation and casual entertainment.
Sometimes, but not always. 'Beauty parlour' and 'beauty salon' are synonyms. However, 'funeral parlour' is standard, while 'funeral salon' is not. 'Salon' can also refer to a gathering of intellectuals, which 'parlour' cannot.
No. While literally a place offering massages, the term 'massage parlour' often carries a euphemistic connotation and may imply illicit services. The more neutral modern term is 'massage studio' or 'spa'.
A formal sitting room or reception room in a private house, used for receiving guests and special occasions.
Parlour is usually formal, somewhat dated or historical in its primary sense. in register.
Parlour: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpɑːlə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpɑːrlər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “parlour trick (a clever but trivial feat)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a Victorian hostess saying, "We shall PARLEY (talk) with our guests in the PARLOUR." Both words come from the French 'parler' (to speak).
Conceptual Metaphor
PARLOUR IS FORMALITY / PARLOUR IS A SPECIALISED CONTAINER (for a service).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the MOST likely modern use of the word 'parlour'?