entrance

¹ American  

[en-truhns] / ˈɛn trəns /

noun

1. an act of entering, as into a place or upon new duties.

   Synonyms:

   ingress, entry

   Antonyms:

   exit

2. a point or place of entering; an opening or passage for entering, as a doorway.

   Synonyms:

   ingress, entry

   Antonyms:

   exit

3. the right, privilege, or permission to enter; admission.

   People improperly dressed will be refused entrance to the theater.

4. Theater. the moment or place in the script at which an actor comes on the stage.

5. Music.

   1. the point in a musical score at which a particular voice or instrument joins the ensemble.

   2. the way in which this is done.

      a sloppy entrance.

6. a manner, means, or style of entering a room, group, etc.; way of coming into view.

   She mimicked Joan's entrance.

7. Nautical. the immersed portion of a hull forward of the middle body (run ).

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entrance ² American  

[en-trans] / ɛnˈtræns /

verb (used with object)

entranced, entrancing

1. to fill with delight or wonder; enrapture.

   Synonyms:

   transport, fascinate, spellbind, enthrall

2. to put into a trance.

   to be hypnotically entranced.

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entrance ¹ British  

/ ˈɛntrəns /

noun

1. the act or an instance of entering; entry

2. a place for entering, such as a door or gate

3. 1. the power, liberty, or right of entering; admission

   2. ( as modifier )

      an entrance fee

4. the coming of an actor or other performer onto a stage

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entrance ² British  

/ ɪnˈtrɑːns /

verb

1. to fill with wonder and delight; enchant

2. to put into a trance; hypnotize

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Related Words

Entrance, admittance, admission refer to the possibility of entering a place or a group. Entrance may refer to either possibility: Entrance is by way of the side door; entrance into a card game. Admittance refers more to place and suggests entrance that may be permitted or denied: to gain admittance to a building; no admittance. Admission refers more to special groups and suggests entrance by payment, by formal or special permission, privilege, and the like: admission to a concert, a game, to candidacy, the bar, to society.

Other Word Forms

• entrancement noun
• entrancing adjective

Etymology

Origin of entrance¹

First recorded in 1525–50; from Middle French; enter, -ance

Origin of entrance²

First recorded in 1585–95; en- ¹ + trance ¹

Explanation

As a noun, entrance means an act of entering or something that provides a way to enter something. You can make a grand entrance when you arrive at a party, as long as you can actually find the entrance. Entrance has two pronunciations. If you put the accent on the first syllable, the word is a noun meaning the act of entering or the way into something ("an entrance to the building"). If the accent is on the second syllable, then entrance is a verb meaning "to enchant, charm, or enamor" — "You will be entranced by the movie; the scenery looks so real you will swear it is growing in the theater."

Example Sentences

On Friday, just a few dozen travellers were in the usually packed departures hall, as porters sat on empty baggage carts and soldiers kept watch at the terminal entrance.

From Barron's • Apr. 11, 2026

AUGUSTA, Ga. — After the career grand slam, a grand entrance.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

A smiling Fury made his entrance in typical fashion - dancing onto the stage and playing to the crowd before crossing immediately to shake Makhmudov's hand.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

An old Catalan independence flag hanging by its entrance flaps in the wind, and the sound of pigs grunting and squealing in the farm buildings can be heard in the distance.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

Crawling in backwards, she piled the scooped-out chunks in the entrance hole, walling herself up in the freezing darkness.

From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver

Related Words

• access
• avenue
• corridor
• door
• doorway
• entry
• entryway
• gate
• hall
• hallway
• lobby
• opening
• passageway
• porch
• port
• staircase