boulevard
/'bu:lvɑ:/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A broad, often tree-lined street in a city, typically one that is landscaped and serves as a major thoroughfare. It often implies a wide, grand, or important avenue.
Usage
The word "boulevard" is used to describe a specific type of wide, prominent street, often found in urban areas. It is more formal and evocative than simply "street" or "road," suggesting a certain grandeur, beauty, or importance. It is commonly used in proper names for streets.
Examples
- The city's most famous boulevard is lined with cafes and historic buildings.
- They took a leisurely stroll down the shaded boulevard.
- Sunset Boulevard is an iconic street in Los Angeles.
Advanced Usage
- "Boulevardier": (noun) A person who frequents fashionable boulevards; a sophisticated man-about-town. This is a related but distinct word derived from "boulevard."
- He was known as a true boulevardier, always seen at the best cafes along the grand avenue.
Variants and Related Words
- Boulevard has no direct verb or adjective forms. It is primarily a noun.
- Avenue: A broad road in a town or city, often having trees at regular intervals. It is a close synonym but can be slightly less specific regarding landscaping.
- Thoroughfare: A main road or public highway. This is a more general term that can include boulevards.
Synonyms
- Avenue
- Thoroughfare
- Parkway (especially in North America, often implies a landscaped road)
- Esplanade (a long, open, level area, usually next to a body of water)
Antonyms
- Alley (a narrow street or passageway)
- Lane (a narrow road, especially in a rural area)
- Path (a track for walking or cycling, not designed for major vehicular traffic)
Idioms and Phrases
There are no common idioms that use the word "boulevard" as the core component. It is typically used literally to describe a street.
Noun
- a wide street or thoroughfare