Word
davenport
Phoneticsdav·en·port, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈdævənˌpɔɹt/
UK/dˈævənpˌɔːt/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a large, comfortable sofa that can sometimes be turned into a bed. In some places, it also refers to a small, stylish writing desk.
n. a large upholstered sofa, often one that can be converted into a bed; alternatively, a small ornamental writing desk with drawers and a sloping top.
Examples
“We sat on the davenport to watch the evening news.”
“The living room was anchored by a heavy velvet davenport that had been in the family for three generations.”
“While the term has largely faded from modern urban parlance, it remains a common regionalism in parts of North America to describe a formal sofa or a convertible davenport bed.”
Examples
simple
“We sat on the davenport to watch the evening news.”
contextual
“The living room was anchored by a heavy velvet davenport that had been in the family for three generations.”
complex
“While the term has largely faded from modern urban parlance, it remains a common regionalism in parts of North America to describe a formal sofa or a convertible davenport bed.”
Usage
The furniture sense varies by region; in the Midwestern United States, it specifically implies a sofa, whereas in British English, it more commonly refers to the desk.
Etymology
As an English surname, from Middle English Devennport, named after the River Dane + port. The first element is from Welsh dafn (“trickle, drop”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European dʰewh₂- (“mist, haze”). * As an Irish surname, from Ó Donndubhartaigh (“descendant of Donndubhartach”), which is from donn (“brown”) + dubh (“black”) + artach (“nobleman”); see airigh.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- 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.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL 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: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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