Word
washroom
Phoneticswash·room, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈwɑʃˌɹum/
UK/wˈɒʃɹuːm/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a room in a building where you can wash your hands and face. It is a polite or formal way to say 'toilet' or 'bathroom'.
n. a room containing a washbasin and typically a mirror, used for washing the hands and face. Often used as a euphemism for a toilet or bathroom in professional or formal contexts.
Examples
“The washroom is located just down the hallway to the left.”
“After the long flight, the passengers were relieved to find a clean washroom in the terminal.”
“The hotel lobby features a spacious marble washroom designed for guests to freshen up before entering the main dining hall for the evening gala.”
Examples
simple
“The washroom is located just down the hallway to the left.”
contextual
“After the long flight, the passengers were relieved to find a clean washroom in the terminal.”
complex
“The hotel lobby features a spacious marble washroom designed for guests to freshen up before entering the main dining hall for the evening gala.”
Etymology
From wash + room in reference to its sinks, but generally used euphemistically outside of Canada and the United States.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/washroom