foyer

[foi-er, foi-ey, fwa-yey]

noun

plural

foyers 

1. the lobby of a theater, hotel, or apartment house.

2. a vestibule or entrance hall in a house or apartment.

foyer

/ ˈfɔɪeɪ, ˈfɔɪə /

noun

1. a hall, lobby, or anteroom, used for reception and as a meeting place, as in a hotel, theatre, cinema, etc

2. (in Britain) a centre providing accommodation and employment training, etc. for homeless young people

Word History and Origins

Origin of foyer¹

1855–60; < French: fireplace, hearth (originally a room to which theater audiences went for warmth between the acts) < Gallo-Latin *focārium, equivalent to Latin foc ( us ) hearth ( focus ) + -ārium -arium

Word History and Origins

Origin of foyer¹

C19: from French: fireplace, from Medieval Latin focārius , from Latin focus fire

Example Sentences

She ran back to the house and nearly collapsed in the foyer, where the entry clock provided unwelcome news.

Read more on Literature

"Someone I know was in this movie, a soldier, and he died," Yulia shares, when people eventually file out into the foyer.

Read more on BBC

About 30 demonstrators waving Palestinian flags hammered on the windows of the BBC Scotland headquarters at Pacific Quay and chanted "shame on the BBC" as Mr Davie gave a speech in the foyer.

Read more on BBC

The home’s dramatic double-height foyer leads to an expansive living area, which can be opened to the backyard area, where the pool and exterior dining space are located.

Read more on MarketWatch

It stretches up the dual staircase and around a statement chandelier above the foyer—and the installation also features painted butterflies that are displayed on the walls, among the flowers.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

• lobby 
• vestibule