reception-room

The family gathers in the reception-room to welcome their guests.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A room used for receiving guests or visitors: "reception-room" refers to a designated space in a home, hotel, or other building where visitors are formally welcomed and entertained.
   • A room for social gatherings: It can also mean a room used for hosting parties, meetings, or other social events, often in a larger establishment like a hotel or club.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The host led us into the reception-room, where refreshments were served. (A room for receiving and entertaining guests.)
  • The hotel's reception-room was elegantly decorated for the wedding reception. (A social gathering space in a hotel.)

Advanced Usage

• "to show someone into the reception-room": to escort a guest to the designated receiving area.

  • The butler showed the visitors into the reception-room while they waited. (The butler guided them to the formal receiving room.)

• "reception-room furniture": furniture specifically designed for such a space, like sofas, armchairs, and coffee tables.

  • The antique reception-room furniture gave the house a grand appearance. (Furniture intended for a formal receiving area.)

Variants and Related Words

• Reception (n): the act of receiving or being received; a formal social event.
  • The wedding reception was held in the main hall. (A formal party after a wedding.)
• Room (n): a part of a building enclosed by walls, floor, and ceiling.
  • The living room is the largest room in the house. (A general space in a building.)

Synonyms

• Drawing room: a formal room in a large house for entertaining guests.
• Sitting room: a room for relaxing and socializing, often less formal than a reception-room.
• Salon: a room for receiving guests, especially in a European context.

Related Idioms

• "Room to spare": extra space available (not directly related but uses "room").
  • There is room to spare in the reception-room for more chairs. (Ample space exists.)

Note on Usage

• "Reception-room" is a compound noun, and its meaning is directly derived from the combination of "reception" (the act of receiving) and "room" (a space). It is less common in modern English, where terms like "living room," "sitting room," or "lobby" might be used instead, depending on the context.