entrance

¹

[en-truhns]

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 ).

entrance

²

[en-trans]

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.

entrance

¹

/ 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

entrance

²

/ ɪnˈtrɑːns /

verb

1. to fill with wonder and delight; enchant

2. to put into a trance; hypnotize

Other Word Forms

• entrancement noun
• entrancing adjective

Word History and Origins

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of entrance¹

C16: from French, from entrer to _enter

Synonym Study

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.

Related Words

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