English Reference

Word

saloon

Phoneticssa·loon

US/səˈɫun/

UK/sɐlˈuːn/

Definitions

01Old West bar

B2

n. a bar or tavern, especially one in the American Old West.

n. a public house or tavern, specifically associated with the historical American frontier.

“The cowboy walked into the saloon and ordered a drink at the wooden bar.”

“Historical accounts of the gold rush often depict the saloon as the primary social hub for miners and travellers alike.”

American English

Synonyms

02car style

B2

n. a car with a separate space for luggage at the back.

n. a car body style with a separate compartment for luggage, typically featuring four doors and a fixed roof.

“He decided to buy a comfortable saloon for his long daily commute to work.”

“While hatchbacks are popular for their versatility, the classic saloon remains a preferred choice for executive transport due to its sleek profile.”

British English

Usage

This is the standard British term for what Americans call a 'sedan'.

Pitfall

He drives a blue sedan in London.

He drives a blue saloon in London.

In British English, use 'saloon'; 'sedan' is the American equivalent.

Synonyms

Antonyms

03boat cabin

C1

n. the main room on a boat or yacht where people sit and eat.

n. the principal cabin area on a vessel, typically used for dining and socialising.

“We gathered in the yacht's saloon to have dinner while the rain fell outside.”

“The interior designer maximised the limited space in the saloon by installing foldable tables and hidden storage compartments.”

Technical

Synonyms

04barbershop

B2

n. a shop where you can get a haircut.

n. a commercial establishment where a barber cuts and styles hair.

“He went to the local saloon to get his hair trimmed before the wedding.”

“In many parts of India, the local hair saloon serves as a communal space for men to discuss politics and news.”

Dialect

Teaching tip

This usage is specific to Indian and Nigerian English; in the UK or US, it would be called a barbershop or salon.

Etymology

From Occitan salon, French salon, either augmentative of salle (“room”), or borrowed from Italian salone (“hall”), augmentative form of sala, salla (“room”); in both cases borrowed from a Germanic source such as Old High German sal (“house, hall”), from Proto-Germanic salą, from Proto-Indo-European sel- (“dwelling”). Doublet of salon.

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

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency
Frequent
Updated

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English Reference