saloon
saloon Lexical Profile
saloon Game Scores & Validity
• noun
North American A public establishment or tavern where alcoholic drinks are sold and consumed, especially one associated with the historical American Old West.
"The dusty travelers tied their horses outside and walked through the swinging doors of the frontier saloon."
British An enclosed passenger car having two or four doors, seating for four or more people, and a separate luggage compartment in the rear.
"For the long motorway drive across England, he rented a comfortable four-door saloon."
A large, comfortably furnished public room or lounge on a passenger ship, yacht, or train used for socializing or dining.
"After dinner, the passengers gathered in the ship's main saloon to listen to the pianist."
British The more comfortable, higher-priced lounge area of a traditional British public house, originally distinct from the simpler public bar.
"They chose a quiet corner table in the pub's saloon rather than standing in the crowded public bar."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'saloon' with 'salon'; in modern American English, 'saloon' typically refers to a historical Western bar or tavern, whereas 'salon' refers to a beauty parlor or a fashionable gathering. In British English, 'saloon' also means a four-door passenger car (American 'sedan').
• Rhymes for saloon
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the early 18th century from French 'salon', itself from Italian 'salone' (meaning 'large hall'), an augmentative of 'sala' ('hall') of Germanic origin.