ENGLISH
REFERENCE

salon

n.
US //səˈɫɑn// UK //sˈælɒn// sa·lon
  1. 1 beauty business (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a shop where you can get a haircut, a manicure, or other beauty treatments.

    a commercial establishment where customers receive cosmetic treatments, typically for hair, skin, or nails.

    Example

    She goes to the same hair salon every month to get her hair cut.

    Example

    The new beauty salon offers a wide range of services, including professional makeup application and advanced skincare treatments.
  2. 2 social gathering (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    a regular meeting of people, often in a private home, to talk about art, books, or politics.

    a periodic gathering of people of social or intellectual distinction, typically held in a private residence.

    Example

    In the past, famous writers would meet at a weekly salon to share their work.

    Example

    The countess hosted an influential literary salon where the city's most prominent intellectuals debated the merits of modern philosophy.
  3. 3 art exhibition (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal Art

    a large exhibition of paintings or sculptures, especially one held every year.

    a hall or gallery used for the exhibition of works of art; specifically, the annual exhibition of the French Academy.

    Example

    The artist was thrilled when her painting was finally accepted into the Paris Salon.

    Example

    During the nineteenth century, having a work displayed at the official Salon was essential for any artist seeking professional recognition.
  4. 4 reception room (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

    a large, elegant room in a big house used for meeting and entertaining guests.

    an elegant apartment or living room in a large house, designed for receiving and entertaining guests.

    Example

    The guests gathered in the salon for coffee after the formal dinner.

    Example

    The palace features a grand salon decorated with gold leaf and massive crystal chandeliers.
Origin

Borrowed from French salon (“reception room”), from Middle French, from Italian salone (“large hall”), augmented form of sala (“hall”), from Lombardic sala (“room, house, entrance hall”), from Proto-Germanic salą (“dwelling, house, hall”), from Proto-Indo-European sel- (“human settlement, village, dwelling”). Cognate with Old High German sal (“room, house, entrance hall”), Old English sæl (“room, hall, castle”), Old Church Slavonic село (selo, “courtyard, village”), Lithuanian sala (“island”). Doublet of saloon.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Last updated June 20, 2026