Definition

Noun: 1. The act of providing a room or building with furniture and decorative items. This meaning focuses on the process or action of equipping a space. 2. (Usually plural: furnishings) The collective items, such as furniture, curtains, rugs, and appliances, that make a home, office, or other space functional and comfortable. This is the most common usage. 3. (Usually plural: furnishings) Accessory items of clothing or accessories. This is a less common, specialized usage.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Meaning 1):
  • The furnishing of the new apartment took longer than expected.
  • Her job involves the design and furnishing of commercial spaces.
• Noun (Meaning 2 - plural form):
  • The hotel's furnishings were elegant and modern.
  • We need to buy some basic furnishings like a sofa and curtains.
  • The price includes the house and all its furnishings.
• Noun (Meaning 3 - plural form):
  • The historical costume included all the necessary furnishings, such as gloves and a hat.
  • In the 18th century, a gentleman's furnishings might include a cane and a watch.

Advanced Usage

• "Soft furnishings": A specific term referring to textile items in a room, such as curtains, cushions, rugs, and upholstery.
  • She specialized in designing soft furnishings to add color to a room.

Variants and Related Words

• Furnish (verb): To provide or supply something; to put furniture in a place.
  • They will furnish the office with new desks.
  • The report furnished the committee with necessary data.
• Furnished (adjective): Describing a space that comes with furniture.
  • We rented a furnished apartment.
• Unfurnished (adjective): Describing a space without furniture.
  • The house is for rent, unfurnished.

Synonyms

• For furnishings (items): furniture, fixtures, fittings, appointments, decor, equipment.
• For furnishings (accessories): accessories, accoutrements, trappings.

Related Phrases

• "Fixtures and fittings" (or "fixtures and furnishings"): A legal or real estate term often used to describe items attached to a property (fixtures) and movable items (fittings/furnishings).
  • The contract specified which fixtures and furnishings were included in the sale.

Noun

1. the act of decorating a house or room
2. (usually plural) the instrumentalities (furniture and appliances and other movable accessories including curtains and rugs) that make a home (or other area) livable
3. (usually plural) accessory wearing apparel