Definition

1. Noun:
   • A toilet, especially in British English: "w.c." is an abbreviation for "water-closet," a term historically and still used in Britain to refer to a room containing a toilet.

Usage

• "W.C." is a dated but still recognized abbreviation, primarily used in British English and in some international contexts (e.g., on building plans or in older establishments) to label a public or private toilet facility.
• It is typically written with periods (W.C.) and is often seen on signs.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The sign on the door said "W.C." (The sign on the door said "toilet.")
  • Excuse me, where is the w.c.? (Excuse me, where is the toilet?)
  • The old building plans indicated a w.c. on each floor. (The old building plans indicated a toilet on each floor.)

Advanced Usage

• "W.C." as a euphemism: The term is considered a polite, somewhat formal, or old-fashioned euphemism for a toilet.
• In property listings: Sometimes used in descriptions of houses, especially older ones, to denote a separate toilet room (e.g., "downstairs w.c.").

Variants and Related Words

• Water-closet (n): The full form of the abbreviation "w.c."
• Lavatory (n): A more formal synonym for a room containing a toilet.
• Loo (n, informal, chiefly British): A common informal British term for a toilet.
• Restroom (n, chiefly North American): A room in a public building with toilets and washbasins.
• Bathroom (n, chiefly North American): A room containing a bath or shower and typically also a toilet and washbasin; often used euphemistically to mean a toilet.

Synonyms

• Toilet
• Lavatory
• Loo (informal, British)
• Restroom (North American)
• Bathroom (North American, euphemistic)
• Ladies'/Gents' (used on signs)

Notes

• The term "w.c." is less common in everyday spoken American English, where terms like "restroom," "bathroom," or "men's/women's room" are preferred.
• In modern British English, "toilet" or "loo" are more common in speech, while "W.C." persists in written form on signs and in certain formal or architectural contexts.

Noun

1. a toilet in Britain