Definition

Noun: 1. A room in a private house used for entertaining guests and social conversation: A formal sitting room, typically the best room in a house, reserved for receiving visitors or for special occasions. 2. A room in a business establishment where clients are received or a specific service is provided: A room or shop designed for a particular type of business, often involving personal care or refreshment.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Private House):
  • The guests were ushered into the parlour for tea.
  • The family gathered in the front parlour on Sundays.
• Noun (Business Establishment):
  • She went to the ice cream parlour for a sundae.
  • He owns a funeral parlour in the town centre.
  • They opened a beauty parlour on the high street.

Advanced Usage

• "Parlour game": A game, often involving wordplay or acting, traditionally played indoors at social gatherings.
  • Charades is a classic parlour game.
• "Parlour tricks": Simple tricks or feats of skill performed to entertain guests in a social setting.
  • He knew a few card parlour tricks to amuse the children.

Variants and Related Words

• Parlor (noun): The standard American English spelling of "parlour".
• Parlourmaid (noun, historical): A female servant in a large household who was responsible for answering the door and serving in the parlour or dining room.

Synonyms

• Living room: A room in a house for general everyday use.
• Sitting room: A room for sitting and relaxing in.
• Lounge: A room for sitting and waiting, or a public room in a hotel.
• Drawing room: A formal room in a large house for receiving guests (similar to, but often more formal than, a parlour).
• Front room: Another term for the main sitting room at the front of a house.
• Salon: A room for receiving guests, or a shop for hairdressing or beauty treatment.

Related Phrases

• Parlour car (noun, historical): A luxurious railway passenger car with comfortable, spacious seating.
• Parlour palm (noun): A common type of small, hardy indoor palm plant ().

Noun

1. a room in a private house or establishment where people can sit and talk and relax
2. reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received