English Reference

Word

dorm

US/ˈdɔɹm/

UK/dˈɔːm/

Definitions

01student housing

B1

n. a building at a college or university where many students live, usually with shared bathrooms and common areas.

n. a residential building provided by a college or university for student housing. Informal in register; 'dormitory' is the formal equivalent.

“I lived in a small dorm during my first year of university.”

“The university recently renovated the oldest dorm on campus to include modern study lounges and high-speed internet access for all residents.”

Informal · American English

Synonyms

dormitoryresidence hallhostel

02shared bedroom

B1

n. a large room with many beds for several people to sleep in, often found in hostels.

n. a large bedroom containing several beds, typically found in hostels, boarding schools, or military barracks.

“The hostel has a ten-bed dorm which is much cheaper than a private room.”

“Backpackers often choose to stay in a shared dorm to save money and meet other travellers from around the world.”

Informal

Synonyms

dormitorywardbunkhouse

Antonyms

private room

03to live in a dorm

B2

v. to live or stay in a student residence building.

v. to reside in a dormitory or similar communal housing. Intransitive; used primarily in collegiate contexts.

“Most freshmen are required to dorm on campus for at least two semesters.”

“While many students prefer to rent apartments in the city, some choose to dorm for the convenience of being close to their morning lectures.”

Informal · American English

Synonyms

This entry

Level
B1 · Intermediate
Frequency
Frequent
Updated

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English Reference