ENGLISH
REFERENCE

penthouse

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈpɛntˌhaʊs// UK //pˈɛnthaʊs// pent·house Archaic

n. a luxury apartment or house located on the top floor of a tall building. It usually has great views and more space than other units.

n. a high-end residential unit situated on the uppermost floor of a skyscraper or apartment block. Often features exclusive amenities such as private terraces or higher ceilings.


SIMPLE

The celebrity lives in a luxury penthouse in the city center.

CONTEXTUAL

From the balcony of her penthouse, she could see the entire skyline glowing at night.

COMPLEX

The architect designed the penthouse with floor-to-ceiling glass walls to maximize the panoramic views of the harbor and the surrounding mountains.

Origin

From Anglo-Norman pentiz (“pentice”), from apendiz (“appentice”), ultimately from a suffixed form of Latin appendō (“I append”). Altered by folk etymology to appear to be a compound of house. Doublet of appentice and pentice.

Usage

Often used as a modifier before another noun, such as 'penthouse suite' or 'penthouse apartment'.

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