ambiance

Or am·bi·ence

[am-bee-uhns, ahn-byahns]

noun

plural

ambiances 

1. the mood, character, quality, tone, atmosphere, etc., particularly of an environment or milieu.

   The restaurant had a delightful ambiance.

2. that which surrounds or encompasses; environment.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ambiance¹

First recorded in 1885–95; from French, equivalent to ambi(ant) “surrounding” ( Middle French, also ambient ), from Latin; ambient + -ance -ance

Synonym Study

See environment.

Example Sentences

“With two gated driveways, serene lawns, and a high-end tropical ambiance, this estate seamlessly blends privacy, prestige, and paradise. A one-of-a-kind legacy property – experience the ultimate Florida Keys lifestyle,” the listing adds.

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When they served their first steamer of dim sum in 1933, a refined ambiance drew the elite clientele of the era.

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“The crowd here, the ambiance, the fans — all together they become something much bigger.”

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"It's just for the ambiance," says Shonnys Akoulatele a potential voter who believes there is more to governance than displaying campaign posters.

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Knight and Hofvendahl, whose home was such a key part of the ambiance so treasured by neighbors, are undecided.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ambience 
• atmosphere 
• environs 
• milieu 
• surroundings