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Definition of foyer

foyer

/ˈfɔɪ.ɚ/
foy · er

Plural:foyers
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foyer Lexical Profile

foyer Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

An entrance hall or large open area in a public building, especially a hotel or theater, used by the public to gather or transition into other rooms.

Example

"We agreed to meet in the foyer of the concert hall before the performance began."


2

An entrance hallway or vestibule just inside the front door of a private house or apartment.

Example

"She left her wet umbrella and muddy boots in the foyer to avoid ruining the living room carpet."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for foyer

Word Nuance & Usage

Pronunciation varies significantly; it is commonly pronounced 'FOY-er' in American English, while British English and some American speakers use the French-derived 'FOY-ay' or 'FWAH-yay'.

• Rhymes for foyer

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed from French 'foyer' (meaning 'hearth, lobby, greenroom'), from Vulgar Latin '*focarium', which derives from Latin 'focus' (hearth). The term originally referred to the heated room in a theater where actors could gather.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Foyer. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 16, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/foyer
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