ambiance
Americannoun
-
ambiances
plural
-
the mood, character, quality, tone, atmosphere, etc., particularly of an environment or milieu.
The restaurant had a delightful ambiance.
-
that which surrounds or encompasses; environment.
Synonym Usage
See environment.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of ambiance
First recorded in 1885–95; from French, equivalent to ambi(ant) “surrounding” ( Middle French, also ambient ), from Latin; see ambient + -ance -ance
Explanation
An ambiance is the mood or setting of a place. You might like the ambiance of a certain restaurant because the lighting and decor makes you feel comfortable and happy. Ambiance is pronounced "AHM-bee-ahns." Most places have an ambiance made up of whatever sights, smells, sounds, and even sensations or textures fill the space. A fancy French restaurant gets its ambiance from the candlelight and chic black outfits worn by the wait staff while the diner off the highway might have a funky, retro ambiance because of its 1950s counter and jukebox full of golden oldies.
Vocabulary lists containing ambiance
Around and Around: Ambi
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amb, ambi
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The lounges were ranked on eight factors: value; staff; food and beverage; cleanliness/upkeep; amenities; ease of access; ambiance and Wi-Fi.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026
The comedy is still the thing in this frolicsome outdoor production, which takes place in the charming ambiance of the festival’s portable, mini-Elizabethan venue.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026
“Evoking the ambiance of a secluded European retreat, the home seamlessly blends luxury, nature, and craftsmanship,” the listing continues.
From MarketWatch ● May 19, 2026
When they served their first steamer of dim sum in 1933, a refined ambiance drew the elite clientele of the era.
From Salon ● Jul. 12, 2025
To blend in with the environment, becoming a part of the ambiance.
From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
