conservatory
conservatory Lexical Profile
conservatory Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A room with a glass roof and walls, attached to a house at one side and used as a sunroom or for growing delicate plants; or a large public greenhouse in a botanical garden.
"We spent the afternoon reading in the conservatory while the winter sun warmed the glass room."
North American A college or specialized academy for the study and practice of classical music, theater, or other fine arts.
"After graduating from high school, she auditioned for a prestigious music conservatory in Boston."
• adjective
Having the quality or function of preserving, protecting, or keeping something safe from decay or loss.
"The archive implemented strict conservatory measures to prevent the ancient manuscripts from deteriorating."
Word Nuance & Usage
In British English, 'conservatory' most commonly refers to a glass-walled room attached to a house, whereas the musical academy sense is typically spelled and pronounced 'conservatoire'. In American English, 'conservatory' is the standard term for both the glass structure and the school of music or dramatic arts.
• Rhymes for conservatory
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the mid-16th century from Late Latin conservatorium ('a place for preserving') and Italian conservatorio, which originally designated charitable institutions in Italy that sheltered and educated orphans, particularly in music.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.