penny arcade

Thân thiện

A family enjoys the games at a lively penny arcade.

Definition

Noun: An indoor area or venue containing coin-operated amusement machines, typically requiring a small coin (historically a penny) for activation. These devices include early mechanical games, fortune tellers, strength testers, and peep shows.

Usage

A "penny arcade" refers to the physical location housing the machines. It is used as a countable noun.

Examples

• Noun:
  • We spent the afternoon at the old-fashioned penny arcade on the boardwalk.
  • The museum has a replica of a 1920s penny arcade with working vintage games.

Advanced Usage

• The term evokes nostalgia and is often associated with early 20th-century entertainment before the rise of video arcades.
• While historically costing a penny, the concept persists in modern arcades, though the price has increased.

Variants and Related Words

• Arcade (n): A covered passageway, often with shops, or a modern venue with video games and similar amusements. (A broader term; a modern "arcade" is the successor to the "penny arcade".)
• Coin-operated machine (n): The general term for any device activated by inserting a coin.

Synonyms

• Amusement arcade (This is a more modern and general synonym, common in British English.)
• Game arcade (Emphasizes games over other types of coin-operated devices.)

Related Phrases

• Penny arcade game (n): A specific amusement device found within a penny arcade.
  • His favorite penny arcade game was the mechanical horse race.

Học thuật

Noun

1. an arcade with coin-operated devices for entertainment