# mezzanine

/ˈmɛzəˌnin/ (US) · /mˈɛzənˌiːn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/mezzanine
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. intermediate floor

noun · CEFR B2

a floor that is built between two main floors of a building, often looking like a large balcony over the ground floor.

For teachers: an intermediate storey between two main floors of a building, typically one that does not extend over the entire floor space and overlooks the level below.

- We sat at a small table on the mezzanine, looking down at the busy hotel lobby.
- The architect designed a mezzanine to increase the usable floor area without sacrificing the open, airy feel of the high-ceilinged atrium.

### 2. theatre seating

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

the lowest balcony or the first few rows of the balcony in a theatre or cinema.

For teachers: the lowest balcony in an auditorium or the forward section of such a balcony.

- Our tickets were for the front row of the mezzanine, so we had a great view of the stage.
- While the orchestra seats offer proximity, many patrons prefer the mezzanine for its superior sightlines during large-scale musical productions.

### 3. finance/loans

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

describes a type of business loan that is between a normal loan and owning part of the company.

For teachers: relating to a layer of financing that ranks between equity and senior debt, often involving high-interest rates and no collateral.

- The company used mezzanine financing to pay for its expansion into new markets.
- The firm secured a mezzanine loan to bridge the gap between their existing equity and the total cost of the acquisition.

Usage: Usually placed before the noun 'financing', 'debt', or 'capital'.

### 4. to add a floor

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

to build or add a middle floor into an existing building.

For teachers: to fit or furnish a building or space with an intermediate mezzanine level.

- They decided to mezzanine the warehouse to create more office space.
- The developers planned to mezzanine the old industrial unit, effectively doubling the available retail square footage within the original structure.

## Examples

- The library has a small mezzanine for quiet study.
- The architect added a glass mezzanine to the office to provide a private meeting area above the main floor.
- In many older theaters, the mezzanine serves as a secondary tier of seating, offering a more intimate perspective on the stage than the ground-level stalls.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.