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REFERENCE

entrance

n. · v.
US //ˈɛntɹəns// en·trance
  1. 1 a door or gate (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a door, gate, or opening where you can go into a place.

    a physical point of entry, such as a doorway, portal, or gate.

    Example

    The main entrance to the museum is currently closed for repairs.

    Example

    The architect designed a grand entrance featuring marble columns and a vaulted ceiling to impress visitors as they arrived.
  2. 2 the act of coming in (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    the act of coming into a room or onto a stage.

    the action of entering a space or appearing before an audience.

    Example

    The bride made a beautiful entrance as the music started to play.

    Example

    The actor timed his entrance perfectly, stepping onto the stage just as the spotlight shifted to the centre aisle.
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  1. 3 permission to enter (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the right or permission to go into a place or join a group.

    the right, permission, or power to enter an institution, building, or social circle.

    Example

    You need a special pass to gain entrance to the private club.

    Example

    Gaining entrance to the elite university required not only high test scores but also a portfolio of community service.
  2. 4 music (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Music

    the moment when a musician or singer starts to play or sing.

    the specific point in a musical score where a performer or instrument begins to play.

    Example

    The flute player missed her entrance because she turned two pages at once.

    Example

    The conductor gave a sharp cue to the brass section to ensure a clean entrance during the fortissimo passage.
  3. 5 to delight or charm (v.)
    C1 Advanced Literary

    to fill someone with wonder and delight so they give you all their attention.

    to fill someone with delight and wonder; to captivate or cast a spell over an audience.

    Example

    The children were entranced by the magician's clever tricks.

    Example

    The audience sat in silence, completely entranced by the soprano's hauntingly beautiful performance.

    Usage

    This verb is pronounced with the stress on the second syllable.

    Teacher's tip

    Learners often confuse this with the noun; remind them that the verb 'entrance' rhymes with 'dance' and has a different stress pattern.
    • enchant
    • captivate
    • spellbind
Etymology 1

From Middle French entrance (“entry”). Replaced native Middle English ingang (“entrance, admission”), from Old English ingang (“ingress, entry, entrance”).

Etymology 2

From en- + trance (“daze”).

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