parlor

1 of 2

noun

par·​lor ˈpär-lər How to pronounce parlor (audio)
Synonyms of parlornext
1
: a room used primarily for conversation or the reception of guests: such as
a
: a room in a private dwelling for the entertainment of guests
b
: a conference chamber or private reception room
c
: a room in an inn, hotel, or club for conversation or semiprivate uses
2
: any of various business places
a funeral parlor
a beauty parlor

parlor

2 of 2

adjective

1
: used in or suitable for a parlor
parlor furniture
2
a
: fostered or advocated in comfortable seclusion without consequent action or application to affairs
parlor bolshevism
b
: given to or characterized by fostering or advocating something (such as a doctrine) in such a manner
parlor socialist

Synonyms

Noun

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

Examples of parlor in a Sentence

Noun an ice cream parlor with an old-timey theme
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
According to Bragg, on January 27, 1998, two individuals committed a robbery of a gambling parlor on Frederick Douglas Boulevard in Harlem. —Greg Evans, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2024 Elsewhere is a bar/parlor room, as well as an inviting primary suite that comes complete with a Juliette balcony, a walk-in closet, and a luxe bath flaunting dual vanities and a large shower. —Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
Kyle Green [email protected] Parlor bird cage at the Jones/Eld house in East Boise. —Anna Webb, idahostatesman, 14 Apr. 2017 See all Example Sentences for parlor 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English parlour, parlur "room off a hall set aside for private conversation, room (as in a monastery) where speech is permitted," borrowed from Anglo-French parlur, parlour, from parler "to speak, talk" + -ur, -or (continental Old French -oir), going back to Latin -ōrius -ory entry 1 — more at parley entry 2

Adjective

from attributive use of parlor entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of parlor was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing parlor

Dictionary Entries Near parlor

parliament roll

parlor

parlor boarder

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Parlor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parlor. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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Kids Definition

parlor

noun
par·​lor
ˈpär-lər
1
: a room in a home, hotel, or club used for conversation or the reception of guests
2
: any of various business places
funeral parlor
beauty parlor
Etymology

Noun

Middle English parlour "a room for receiving and talking with guests," from early French parlour (same meaning), from parler "to speak" — related to parley, parliament

Word Origin
In some monasteries during the Middle Ages, monks were not allowed to speak except when they were in a special room. Such a room was known in early French as a parlour. The word parlour comes from the French verb parler, which means "to speak." In the 13th century, parlour was borrowed into English as parlor. Eventually it acquired the meaning that it has today. Other English words that can be traced to the verb parler include parley and parliament.

More from Merriam-Webster on parlor

Nglish: Translation of parlor for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of parlor for Arabic Speakers

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