courtyard

/'kɔ:t'jɑ:d/

Thân thiện

The children play in the sunny courtyard.

Definition

Noun: An open area of ground that is completely or partially enclosed by the walls of a building or buildings.

Usage

A courtyard is typically an outdoor space within the confines of a building complex, such as a house, school, castle, or apartment block. It is often paved and may contain features like gardens, fountains, or seating areas.

Examples

• The students gathered in the courtyard for the morning assembly.
• Her apartment looks out onto a quiet, sunlit courtyard.
• The old castle had a central courtyard where knights once trained.

Advanced Usage

• "inner courtyard": A courtyard that is centrally located within a building, not visible from the street.
  • The villa's design focused on a peaceful inner courtyard.
• "courtyard garden": A garden located within a courtyard.
  • They created a beautiful courtyard garden with potted plants and a small pond.

Variants and Related Words

• Court (noun): Can be a synonym for courtyard, but also has other meanings like a royal residence, a place for playing games (e.g., tennis court), or a law court.
• Patio (noun): An outdoor space for dining or recreation that adjoins a residence, often paved. It is usually not fully enclosed by walls.
• Quadrangle (noun): A formal term, often used for a square or rectangular courtyard, especially in academic or institutional settings (often shortened to "quad").

Synonyms

• Enclosure: A general term for an area that is sealed off.
• Atrium: In modern architecture, a large open space, often with a glass roof, within a building. It shares the concept of being an interior open space.
• Cloister: A covered walk in a convent, monastery, or college, often surrounding a courtyard.

Related Phrases

• "Courtyard of the Gentiles": A term from Catholic theology, referring to a space of dialogue with non-believers.
• "Courtyard house": A house built around a central courtyard.

Idioms

There are no common idioms that use the word "courtyard" as the key term.

Học thuật

Noun

1. an area wholly or partly surrounded by walls or buildings
   • the house was built around an inner court

Từ đồng nghĩa

• court