attic

¹ American  

[at-ik] / ˈæt ɪk /

noun

1. the part of a building, especially of a house, directly under a roof; garret.

2. a room or rooms in an attic.

3. a low story or decorative wall above an entablature or the main cornice of a building.

4. Anatomy. the upper part of the tympanic cavity of the ear.

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Attic ² American  

[at-ik] / ˈæt ɪk /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Greece or of Athens.

2. (often lowercase) displaying simple elegance, incisive intelligence, and delicate wit.

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noun

1. the dialect of ancient Attica that became the standard language of Classical Greek literature in the 5th and 4th centuries b.c.

Attic ¹ British  

/ ˈætɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to Attica, its inhabitants, or the dialect of Greek spoken there, esp in classical times

2. (often not capital) classically elegant, simple, or pure

   an Attic style

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noun

1. the dialect of Ancient Greek spoken and written in Athens: the chief literary dialect of classical Greek See also Aeolic Arcadic Doric Ionic

attic ² British  

/ ˈætɪk /

noun

1. a space or room within the roof of a house

2. architect a storey or low wall above the cornice of a classical façade

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Other Word Forms

• non-Attic adjective

Etymology

Origin of attic¹

First recorded in 1690–1700; special use of Attic

Origin of Attic²

1555–65; < Latin Atticus < Greek Attikós

Example Sentences

Kid Cudi is lounging in a colorful attic much like the one in his childhood home in Cleveland.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

When clearing out a family member's home, you could find many strange things in the attic.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

Just days before Netflix airs a serialised adaptation of the novel, hundreds of curious visitors have come to the museum, squeezing past one another on the narrow wooden stairs up to Basmaci's attic room.

From Barron's • Feb. 13, 2026

And remember that your attic conversion may count as an extra room, depending on the laws in your state, and may affect your property taxes.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 12, 2026

I offer to meet Lubek somewhere else so everyone doesn’t have to sit in the attic.

From "The Light in Hidden Places" by Sharon Cameron