drawing room

American  

noun

1. a formal reception room, especially in an apartment or private house.

2. (in a railroad car) a private room for two or three passengers.

3. British. a formal reception, especially at court.

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drawing room British  

noun

1. a room where visitors are received and entertained; living room; sitting room

2. archaic a ceremonial or formal reception, esp at court

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Other Word Forms

• drawing-room
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of drawing room

First recorded in 1635–45; as shortening of now obsolete withdrawing room

Example Sentences

It's ages ago; day I was at a Drawing room; year Blue Ruin won the Clearwell for Royal, I think.

From Under Two Flags by Ouida

From the hall you entered the Red Drawing room, which contains a marble table, inlaid with flowers and fruit, and formerly the property of Marie Antoinette.

From The Evolution of Fashion by Gardiner, Florence Mary

Drawing room compliments stretch along in sentences as finished as those of an academical dissertation.

From The Ancient Regime by Durand, John

You enter without passage into a cheerful dining room, all studded over and rough with old Books, and above is a lightsome Drawing room, 3 windows, full of choice prints.

From The Works of Charles and Mary Lamb — Volume 6 Letters 1821-1842 by Lamb, Mary

Related Words

• parlor
• reception room