storey: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Formal, Architectural
Quick answer
What does “storey” mean?
A level or floor of a building.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A level or floor of a building.
A horizontal division in a building; can also refer to a tier or level in a broader context, such as in a structure or system.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
British English exclusively uses 'storey' for the floor of a building. American English uses 'story' for both a narrative and a floor of a building (e.g., 'a five-story building').
Connotations
In British English, using 'storey' marks the speaker/writer as using standard British spelling. In American contexts, using 'storey' would be considered a Britishism or a spelling error.
Frequency
'Storey' is high-frequency in British architectural, real estate, and everyday descriptions of buildings. It is extremely rare in American English, where 'story' is used.
Grammar
How to Use “storey” in a Sentence
[number]-storey [noun]a [adjective] storeythe [ordinal number] storeyVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in property listings and development plans (e.g., 'The development will add three storeys to the existing structure.').
Academic
Used in architectural history, urban planning, and engineering texts (e.g., 'The pagoda traditionally has an odd number of storeys.').
Everyday
Used to describe homes, offices, and other buildings (e.g., 'They live in a three-storey house near the park.').
Technical
Used in building regulations, fire safety codes, and construction manuals (e.g., 'The staircase must service every storey above ground level.').
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “storey”
- Using 'storey' in American English contexts.
- Misspelling as 'story' in British English when referring to a floor.
- Incorrect plural: 'storeys' (BrE) vs. 'stories' (AmE).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In British English, they are often used interchangeably when referring to a level in a building. However, 'storey' typically refers to the entire level as a structural unit (used especially when counting), while 'floor' can refer to the actual surface you walk on. In addresses, 'floor' is more common (e.g., 'third floor').
In British English, the plural is 'storeys'. In American English, the equivalent word is 'story' and its plural is 'stories'.
Virtually never. The standard American spelling for both a narrative and a level of a building is 'story'. Using 'storey' in American English would be seen as a British spelling.
The counting is largely the same, but terminology differs. In the UK, the 'ground floor' is at street level, and the floor above it is the 'first storey/first floor'. In the US, the 'first floor' is at street level, and the floor above it is the 'second floor/second story'.
A level or floor of a building.
Storey is usually formal, architectural in register.
Storey: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstɔːri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstɔːri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a different storey (altogether)”
- “to be on the same storey (rare, metaphorical)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a STOry being written on each floor of a building. In British English, you need an extra 'E' for the 'E'levation (the floors).
Conceptual Metaphor
A BUILDING IS A VERTICAL STACK OF CONTAINERS (e.g., 'the upper storeys of the corporation').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'storey' correctly in British English?