parquet
Americannoun
-
a floor composed of short strips or blocks of wood forming a pattern, sometimes with inlays of other woods or other materials.
-
the part of the main floor of a theater, opera house, etc., that is between the musicians' area and the parterre or rear division or, especially in the U.S., the entire floor space for spectators.
verb (used with object)
noun
-
a floor covering of pieces of hardwood fitted in a decorative pattern; parquetry
-
Also called: parquet floor. a floor so covered
-
the stalls of a theatre
-
the main part of the Paris Bourse, where officially listed securities are traded Compare coulisse
-
(in France) the department of government responsible for the prosecution of crimes
verb
Etymology
Origin of parquet
Explanation
It must take a very long time to create a parquet floor. This type of woodwork includes many small, intricate pieces laid out in a geometrical pattern, almost like a mosaic. Parquet is a French word that rhymes with tray. In fact, this type of woodwork originated in France and seems to have first been used on the floors at the Palace of Versailles. It is decorative in nature and can be used for flooring and also for furniture, such as tabletops. Sometimes parquet is also used to describe the main seating area in a theater — closest to the orchestra, or stage.
Vocabulary lists containing parquet
Girl in the Blue Coat
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Stories of Ourselves
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Sun Also Rises
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Beds are surrounded by animal-print seating, parquet oak flooring, marble tables, mirrored cabinets and custom wallpaper.
From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2026
Built in 2008, it features parquet de Versailles flooring, 18th-century French Louis XV–carved stone fireplaces, and hand-carved marble bathtubs.
From MarketWatch • Jan. 5, 2026
Boston made a blockbuster move in 2017 by trading for Irving, with the hopes of seeing him grace its parquet floor in the NBA Finals.
From Seattle Times • May 30, 2024
When it was suggested he might become defence secretary in a previous reshuffle, he said that if removed, "you will see nail marks on the parquet floor in my office".
From BBC • Nov. 13, 2023
He stepped over the threshold, his soft slipper-like shoes making no sound on the parquet floor.
From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
