foyer

American  

[foi-er, foi-ey, fwa-yey] / ˈfɔɪ ər, ˈfɔɪ eɪ, fwaˈyeɪ /

noun

plural

foyers

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

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

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foyer British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of foyer

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

Example Sentences

As guests pass through the foyer and enter Disneyland’s popular Haunted Mansion attraction, a ghoulish host delivers one last chilling message: “There’s no turning back now.”

From Los Angeles Times

I stand, silent, in our foyer, and without word or warning, an odd rush of emotion rains over me.

From Literature

In the bright light of the foyer, Mrs. Adler’s eyes fasten on Boo.

From Literature

I follow her into the foyer, where we keep all our coats, hats, and winter boots.

From Literature

Rachel and Stephen huddled around the illustration in the castle foyer with faithful Reece, under the pretence of translating its Latin inscription, before the two traitors asked Reece to make himself scarce.

From BBC

Related Words

• lobby
• vestibule