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Synonyms

armoire

American  
[ahrm-wahr, ahrm-wahr] / ɑrmˈwɑr, ˈɑrm wɑr /

noun

  1. a large wardrobe or movable cupboard, with doors and shelves.


armoire British  
/ ɑːmˈwɑː /

noun

  1. a large cabinet, originally used for storing weapons

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of armoire

First recorded in 1565–75; from Middle French; Old French blend of armaire and aumoire; see aumbry

Explanation

An armoire is a kind of wardrobe or freestanding closet. You can hang your clothes on hangers in an armoire, or put your folded sweaters on its shelves. These days, most armoires are antiques, tall movable cabinets made of wood that hold clothing. It was once less common for houses to be built with closets, and armoires gave people a place to store things out of sight. Armoire is a French word, from the Old French armarie, "cupboard or bookcase," with its Latin root armarium, "closet for storing implements or tools."

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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.

Soon after, Greene’s work filled nearly every room of his former Rancho Palos Verdes home: lamps, shelves, an altar, an armoire adorned with a lotus flower.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 21, 2025

The bird flees from her car’s trunk to a watermelon truck to the space behind an armoire, with adults and children, including the high-spirited young daughter, Linda, in hot pursuit.

From New York Times • Feb. 29, 2024

This Instagrammer uses an armoire in the hallway to store sheets, and we love that the see-through doors give you a peek at all the pretty patterns inside.

From Salon • Aug. 6, 2022

When the St. Julian family moved from New Orleans to Texas last year, son Oliver’s room was carefully re-created, with the jack-in-the-box sitting on top of a white armoire.

From Washington Post • Mar. 23, 2022

A matching white armoire and dresser were in the distance.

From "Amal Unbound" by Aisha Saeed

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