parquet: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal/Technical
Quick answer
What does “parquet” mean?
a type of flooring made of small wooden blocks arranged in a geometric pattern.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
a type of flooring made of small wooden blocks arranged in a geometric pattern.
In finance, the 'parquet' can refer to the main trading floor of the Paris Bourse. More broadly, it can describe any decorative inlaid work resembling wooden flooring.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is used identically for flooring. The financial 'Parquet' (capitalized) is specific to the Paris exchange. Americans are slightly more likely to use 'hardwood floors' as a generic term.
Connotations
In both varieties, it connotes quality, tradition, and a certain aesthetic elegance. It is less likely to be used for modern, cheap laminate flooring.
Frequency
Low-frequency in everyday conversation, but standard in contexts of interior design, construction, and real estate.
Grammar
How to Use “parquet” in a Sentence
The room [has/features] parquet flooring.They decided to [lay/install/restore] parquet.The parquet [gleamed/creaked/was scuffed].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “parquet” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The estate agent made a point of mentioning the original oak parquet in the listing.
- The ballroom's herringbone parquet was meticulously restored.
American English
- They chose a classic chevron parquet for the downtown loft.
- The sound of heels clicking on the polished parquet echoed in the hall.
verb
British English
- The craftsmen will parquet the entire ground floor using traditional methods.
- They decided to parquet over the old concrete subfloor.
American English
- We're planning to parquet the study with reclaimed walnut.
- The company specializes in parqueting large commercial spaces.
adjective
British English
- The parquet tiles were individually numbered for installation.
- They admired the parquet effect in the period property.
American English
- The parquet border added a formal touch to the room.
- They installed a parquet-style laminate as a more affordable option.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In finance: 'Trading on the parquet of the Paris Bourse has become fully electronic.'
Academic
In art/architecture history: 'The château's grand salon was famed for its intricate 18th-century parquet de Versailles.'
Everyday
Discussing home features: 'We're thinking of pulling up the carpet to see if there's original parquet underneath.'
Technical
In flooring/construction: 'The subfloor must be perfectly level before the parquet modules can be glued down.'
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “parquet”
- Mispronouncing it as /pɑːrˈkwɛt/ (like 'parquet' with a hard 't').
- Using it as a general term for any wooden floor (it specifically implies a geometric pattern).
- Misspelling as 'parquay' or 'parquette'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily yes, but by analogy, it can describe similar decorative inlaid patterns on furniture or walls. Its other main use is in the term 'Parquet' for the Paris stock exchange floor.
All parquet is hardwood flooring, but not all hardwood flooring is parquet. 'Hardwood' is a broad category. 'Parquet' specifically refers to flooring made from small wooden blocks or strips arranged in a repeating geometric pattern (like herringbone or chevron).
In British English, it's /ˈpɑːkeɪ/ (PAR-kay). In American English, it's commonly /pɑːrˈkeɪ/ (par-KAY). The final 't' is silent.
Yes, though less common. It means 'to lay a floor with parquet' (e.g., 'They parqueted the hall').
a type of flooring made of small wooden blocks arranged in a geometric pattern.
Parquet is usually formal/technical in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Rare] To be called to the parquet: In a French courtroom context, to be summoned before the judges.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a PARROT (sounds like 'parquet') walking on an elegant, patterned wooden floor, tapping its beak on the blocks.
Conceptual Metaphor
PARQUET IS A PUZZLE / A MOSAIC (made of interlocking pieces forming a harmonious whole).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic of parquet?