Definition

Noun: A skyscraper is a very tall building with many stories (floors). It is a type of high-rise building that is a prominent feature of modern city skylines, typically used for offices, residential apartments, or hotels.

Usage

The word "skyscraper" is used to describe exceptionally tall buildings, often those that dominate their urban surroundings. It emphasizes great height and a large number of floors.

Examples

• The Empire State Building is a famous skyscraper in New York City.
• Modern skyscrapers are often built with glass and steel.
• The city's skyline is filled with skyscrapers.

Advanced Usage

• "To scrape the sky": This is the etymological idea behind the word, implying the building is so tall it appears to touch or scrape the sky.
• The term is often used in discussions about urban development, architecture, and engineering.

Variants and Related Words

• High-rise (noun/adjective): A general term for a tall building with many floors. While all skyscrapers are high-rises, not all high-rises are considered skyscrapers, which implies an extreme height.
• Tower (noun): A tall, narrow building or structure. A skyscraper can be referred to as a tower (e.g., office tower), but "tower" can also describe shorter or standalone structures like clock towers.
• Skyscraping (adjective): Reaching very high; towering. (e.g., skyscraping mountains).

Synonyms

• High-rise
• Tower block (chiefly British English)
• Megastructure (for very large and tall buildings)

Antonyms

• Low-rise
• Bungalow
• Cottage

Noun

1. a very tall building with many stories