ambiance

[ am-bee-uh ns; French ahn-byahns ]

/ ˈæm bi əns; French ɑ̃ˈbyɑ̃s /

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.

QUIZZES

Fend Off Sciolism With This Word Of The Day Quiz

Are you the Cinderella of this week’s quiz? Test your memory on the words and definitions from March 23–29.

Question 1 of 7

schlep

< French, equivalent to ambi(ant) surrounding (Middle French, also ambient < Latin; see ambient) + -ance -ance

Instead, the writers had to rely on visual cues and ambiance.
Yep, Korra and Asami Went in the Spirit Portal and Probably Kissed|Melissa Leon|December 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The ambiance is almost asexual as rockabilly and Motown play in the background.
Women, It's Time to Reclaim Our Breasts|Emily Shire|September 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Yet as jazz disappears from the mainstream culture, it dominates the ambiance at eateries, and especially coffee shops.
Jazz (The Music of Coffee and Donuts) Has Respect, But It Needs Love|Ted Gioia|June 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Summerville captures this ambiance with a mix of ready-to-wear couture pieces and original creations.
The ‘Catching Fire’ Costume Designer Talks the Dark Turn in ‘Hunger Games’ Fashion|Amy Zimmerman|November 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Kyoto, Japan, is one of my favorite places for the refinement of the food and the ambiance of the city.
Fresh Picks|Laurent Gras|September 1, 2009|DAILY BEAST