English Reference

Word

bungalow

Phoneticsbun·ga·low, stress on the first syllable

US/ˈbəŋɡəˌɫoʊ/

UK/bˈʌŋɡɐlˌəʊ/

Countable noun

Definition

n. a small house with only one floor. It is easy to enter because you do not need to climb stairs.

n. a single-storey house, typically of modest size and often featuring a veranda.

Examples

“They bought a small bungalow near the beach.”

“The elderly couple chose a bungalow so they would not have to climb stairs every day.”

“The architect designed the bungalow to blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape, using local stone and large windows to invite natural light.”

Examples

simple

“They bought a small bungalow near the beach.”

contextual

“The elderly couple chose a bungalow so they would not have to climb stairs every day.”

complex

“The architect designed the bungalow to blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape, using local stone and large windows to invite natural light.”

Etymology

Borrowed from Gujarati બંગલો (baṅglo, “Bengali-style house; a detached house situated between a garden or a field”). Compare Hindi बंगला (baṅglā, “Bengali”), Bengali বাংলা (baṅla, “Bengal”). Doublet of bangalo.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
Frequency
Frequent
Level
B1 · Intermediate
Updated

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