recliner
B2Informal, Common, Consumer
Definition
Meaning
An armchair with a mechanism that allows the back to be lowered and a footrest to be raised into position.
A person who reclines. (Rare in modern usage).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a category of furniture, strongly associated with comfort and relaxation. The term often implies a specific mechanical function rather than just a comfortable chair.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Identical in core meaning and usage. The product category is equally common.
Connotations
Associated with middle-class home comfort, relaxation, and potentially with watching television. In the UK, may have slightly stronger historical associations with older gentlemen's clubs.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English due to larger market prevalence and cultural association with 'La-Z-Boy' as a genericized trademark.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
sit in a/the reclinerlean back in the reclineradjust the reclinerbuy a reclinerVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “This is not a phrase used in idioms.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in retail, manufacturing, and marketing contexts related to furniture.
Academic
Rare, except in design, ergonomics, or material culture studies.
Everyday
Common in discussions of home furniture, comfort, and interior design.
Technical
Used in furniture design and manufacturing specifications, referring to the mechanism and frame.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He decided to recliner for a bit. (Note: This is non-standard and incorrect, demonstrating the word is almost exclusively a noun.)
American English
- You can't 'recliner' a sofa. (Note: Demonstrating the word is not used as a verb.)
adverb
British English
- He sat recliner. (Note: This is grammatically incorrect, demonstrating the word is not an adverb.)
American English
- She leaned back recliner. (Note: This is grammatically incorrect, demonstrating the word is not an adverb.)
adjective
British English
- They looked at recliner options online. (Note: Used attributively as a noun adjunct.)
American English
- The recliner mechanism is broken. (Note: Used attributively as a noun adjunct.)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My grandad has a big, comfortable recliner.
- Can I sit in the recliner?
- After work, I love to relax in my leather recliner.
- We need to buy a new recliner for the living room.
- The electric recliner can be adjusted to several different positions with a remote control.
- He fell asleep almost immediately after settling into the plush recliner.
- Contemporary recliners often incorporate features like USB charging ports, built-in massagers, and independent lumbar support adjustments.
- The ergonomic design of the high-end recliner purported to alleviate pressure on the occupant's spine.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'recline' (to lean back) + '-er' (a thing that does something). A RECLINER is a thing that allows you to RECLINE.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMFORT IS RECLINING (e.g., 'He achieved total comfort in his new recliner').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque from Russian 'раскладушка', which is a camp bed/cot. A recliner is not a bed.
- Do not confuse with 'шезлонг' (deckchair/sun lounger), which is for outdoor use.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'recliner' to refer to a sofa or a standard armchair without the reclining mechanism.
- Pronouncing it as /ˈrek.laɪ.nər/ (stress on first syllable). Correct stress is on the second syllable.
Practice
Quiz
What is the defining feature of a recliner?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. All recliners are a type of armchair, but not all armchairs are recliners. A recliner specifically has a mechanical feature to recline.
No, 'recliner' is exclusively a noun. The verb is 'recline'. You recline in a recliner.
La-Z-Boy is a famous American brand of recliners, and the name is sometimes used generically (like Hoover for vacuum cleaner).
Yes. A recliner is typically a single-seat chair. A reclining sofa (or sectional) is a multi-seat piece where one or more seats have a reclining function.