Word
dormitory
Phoneticsdor·mi·to·ry, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈdɔɹməˌtɔɹi/
UK/dˈɔːmɪtəɹˌi/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a large room with many beds where people sleep, or a building at a college where students live.
n. a large bedroom containing numerous beds for several people, or a residential building providing sleeping quarters for students or staff at an institution.
Examples
“I live in a college dormitory with three other students.”
“The university built a new dormitory to house the growing number of international students arriving each semester.”
“While the historic dormitory offered a sense of tradition, many students preferred the modern apartments for their increased privacy and updated kitchen facilities.”
Examples
simple
“I live in a college dormitory with three other students.”
contextual
“The university built a new dormitory to house the growing number of international students arriving each semester.”
complex
“While the historic dormitory offered a sense of tradition, many students preferred the modern apartments for their increased privacy and updated kitchen facilities.”
Usage
Often shortened to 'dorm' in informal American English.
Etymology
From Middle English dormitory, dormytory, dormytorye, borrowed from Latin dormītōrium (“a sleeping-room”), from dormiō (“to sleep”). Doublet of dormitorium and dorter.
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.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
- Occasional
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/dormitory