parterre: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 / Very RareFormal, Technical (Horticulture, Architecture/Theater)
Quick answer
What does “parterre” mean?
A level space in a garden, usually consisting of flower beds arranged in a decorative pattern, often edged with low hedging.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A level space in a garden, usually consisting of flower beds arranged in a decorative pattern, often edged with low hedging.
1. The part of the ground floor of a theater auditorium located under the balcony. 2. More generally, any level area, especially one where people gather.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In gardening, usage is identical. In theater, 'parterre' is somewhat archaic in both, but slightly more likely to be encountered in British descriptions of historic theatres. Americans might use 'orchestra (level/stalls)' or 'main floor' more commonly.
Connotations
Connotes elegance, formality, and historical grandeur in both varieties.
Frequency
Very low frequency in everyday language in both regions. Most commonly found in specialized gardening books, historical texts, or descriptions of formal gardens and old theatres.
Grammar
How to Use “parterre” in a Sentence
The parterre [is/was] + past participle (e.g., was designed, is maintained)A parterre of + noun (e.g., a parterre of lavender)The parterre + verb (e.g., the parterre extends...)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “parterre” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The estate was parterred in the 18th century. (extremely rare, archaic)
American English
- They decided to parterre the front lawn. (extremely rare, non-standard)
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- The parterre design was exquisite. (noun used attributively)
American English
- The parterre seating was the most sought-after. (noun used attributively)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in art history, architectural history, landscape design, and theater history contexts.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might be used on a visit to a stately home or historic theatre.
Technical
Standard term in professional horticulture (for formal garden design) and in historical descriptions of theater architecture.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “parterre”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “parterre”
- Misspelling as 'parter', 'partare', or 'parterr'.
- Mispronouncing with stress on the first syllable (/ˈpɑːrtə/).
- Using it to refer to any garden, rather than a specifically formal, geometric one.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency, specialized term. Most English speakers may not know it or encounter it outside specific contexts like gardening, history, or architecture.
A parterre is a formal, designed arrangement, often with symmetrical or geometric patterns, usually defined by low hedging or paths. A simple flower bed is less structured and formal.
Historically, it was used very rarely as a verb meaning 'to lay out as a parterre', but this usage is now obsolete. In modern English, it functions exclusively as a noun.
The gardening meaning is older, dating from the early 17th century, derived from French for 'on the ground'. The theater sense developed later in the same century, also from French, referring to the part of the auditorium 'on the ground' as opposed to the galleries.
A level space in a garden, usually consisting of flower beds arranged in a decorative pattern, often edged with low hedging.
Parterre is usually formal, technical (horticulture, architecture/theater) in register.
Parterre: in British English it is pronounced /pɑːˈtɛə/, and in American English it is pronounced /pɑrˈtɛr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly associated.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a fancy French garden PART on the TERRain. PAR-TERRE. It's a decorative garden part on the ground.
Conceptual Metaphor
NATURE IS ART / THE GROUND IS A CANVAS (for the garden sense).
Practice
Quiz
In which of these contexts would the word 'parterre' be LEAST appropriate?