inn
noun
a commercial establishment that provides lodging, food, etc., for the public, especially travelers; small hotel.
inn
1 American
[in]
/ ɪn /
noun
-
inns
plural
-
a commercial establishment that provides lodging, food, etc., for the public, especially travelers; small hotel.
- Synonyms:
- hostelry
-
a tavern.
-
(initial capital letter)
-
any of several buildings in London formerly used as places of residence for students, especially law students.
-
a legal society occupying such a building.
-
Inn
2
American
[in]
/ ɪn /
noun
inn
1
British
/ ɪn /
noun
-
a pub or small hotel providing food and accommodation
-
(formerly, in England) a college or hall of residence for students, esp of law, now only in the names of such institutions as the Inns of Court
Inn
2
British
/ ɪn /
noun
Synonym Usage
See hotel.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of inn
First recorded before 1000; Middle English, Old English in(n) “house”; akin to Old Norse inni (adverb) “within, in the house”
Explanation
An inn is a place to stay while you're on vacation or on the road. Inns are usually smaller and more charming than hotels, but they serve the same purpose: to give you a place to rest your weary head as you travel. Some inns are more charming versions of hotels, while others use the word inn simply to make them sound more appealing than a motel. The original meaning of inn was "lodging and food for travelers," although today some inns don't have a restaurant or bar attached. If you own or manage an inn, you're an "innkeeper." Inn comes from the Old English inne, "inside or within."
Vocabulary lists containing inn
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The Anglers Rest, a 17th-century coaching inn in Bamford near Sheffield, doubles as a post office and polling station.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 25, 2026
Since then, it has become a popular tourist destination and houses a mountain inn.
From BBC ● Oct. 24, 2026
Lately, Chahal has been sprucing up the motor inn: new cabinets, new furniture, fresh paint every few months.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 14, 2026
As for the San Juan Hill painting, it connects neatly with the history of Theodore Roosevelt, one of nine presidents who have visited the inn.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 11, 2026
“Unfortunately, no. The original owners named the inn after the paint color they used on the exterior.”
From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller
Aoife Thomas, the sales manager at Holiday Inn Express in Derry, said guests from around the world stayed at their hotel throughout the week.
From BBC ● Oct. 31, 2026
In Cornwall, the Star Inn offers menopause fitness and is opening a unisex hair salon on site.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 25, 2026
Just outside Spalding, The Ship Inn pub stands by the River Welland in the small hamlet of Surfleet Seas End.
From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026
I say I live in the Hampton Inn somewhere in California because we’re basically in a different place every night.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 12, 2026
At Smoky Inn, I sleep on a tiny couch pull-out that creaks every time I move, and definitely every time Charlie jumps on it.
From "Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero" by Kelly J. Baptist
The little hotels, motels and inns along Cambria’s Moonstone Beach Drive have been drawing travelers for more than 60 years, largely because of scenic, driftwood-strewn Moonstone Beach across the street.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2026
Begun in the 15th century, the 25,000-mile network undulated over the Andes and west coast of South America, replete with stone paths, rope bridges, staircases, fortresses, inns and warehouses to serve relays of royal runners.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 10, 2025
They could be in pubs, taverns, inns or coffee houses.
From BBC ● Nov. 15, 2024
There are a few cafes and inns, but no car rental shops, gas stations or public transportation.
From Seattle Times ● May 24, 2024
The carpet is one of those rag rugs you see in country inns.
From "We Were Liars" by E. Lockhart
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