Library / English Dictionary

FURNITURE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy

Example:

there was only one piece of furniture in the room

Synonyms:

article of furniture; furniture; piece of furniture

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("furniture" is a kind of...):

furnishing ((usually plural) the instrumentalities (furniture and appliances and other movable accessories including curtains and rugs) that make a home (or other area) livable)

Domain member category:

ebonise; ebonize (stain black to make it look like ebony)

chattel; movable; personal chattel (personal as opposed to real property; any tangible movable property (furniture or domestic animals or a car etc))

knockdown ((furniture) easily assembled and dismantled)

equipped; furnished (provided with whatever is necessary for a purpose (as furniture or equipment or authority))

rosemaling (a Scandinavian style of carved or painted decoration (as on furniture or walls or dinnerware) consisting of floral motifs)

fitment (any of the items furnishing or equipping a room (especially built-in furniture))

Americana (any artifact (such as books or furniture or art) that is distinctive of America)

cabinetry; cabinetwork (the craft of making furniture (especially furniture of high quality))

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "furniture"):

wash-hand stand; washstand (furniture consisting of a table or stand to hold a basin and pitcher of water for washing: 'wash-hand stand' is a British term)

closet; press; wardrobe (a tall piece of furniture that provides storage space for clothes; has a door and rails or hooks for hanging clothes)

wall unit (a piece of furniture having several units that stands against one wall of a room)

table (a piece of furniture with tableware for a meal laid out on it)

table (a piece of furniture having a smooth flat top that is usually supported by one or more vertical legs)

sleeper (a piece of furniture that can be opened up into a bed)

Sheraton (a furniture style that originated in England around 1800; simple in design with straight lines and classical ornamentation)

sectional (a piece of furniture made up of sections that can be arranged individually or together)

seat (furniture that is designed for sitting on)

office furniture (furniture intended for use in an office)

nest (furniture pieces made to fit close together)

lawn furniture (furniture intended for use on a lawn or in a garden)

lamp (a piece of furniture holding one or more electric light bulbs)

hallstand (a piece of furniture where coats and hats and umbrellas can be hung; usually has a mirror)

fitment (any of the items furnishing or equipping a room (especially built-in furniture))

etagere (a piece of furniture with open shelves for displaying small ornaments)

dining-room furniture (furniture intended for use in a dining room)

bureau; chest; chest of drawers; dresser (furniture with drawers for keeping clothes)

cabinet (a piece of furniture resembling a cupboard with doors and shelves and drawers; for storage or display)

buffet; counter; sideboard (a piece of furniture that stands at the side of a dining room; has shelves and drawers)

bookcase (a piece of furniture with shelves for storing books)

bedframe; bedstead (the framework of a bed)

bedroom furniture (furniture intended for use in a bedroom)

baby's bed; baby bed (a small bed for babies; enclosed by sides to prevent the baby from falling)

Derivation:

furnish (provide or equip with furniture)

Credits

 Context examples: 

In the midst of the wreckage of overthrown and smashed furniture, partly on his side, his face hidden by an arm, lay a man.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

It can also be found in clothing, kitchenware, furniture and toys.

(Common Ingredient in Toothpaste Puts Women at Risk of Bone Disease, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

She related the subjects of the pictures, the dimensions of the rooms, and the price of the furniture, in vain.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

And then to turn the discourse, she began admiring the house and the furniture.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

“Why, it’s Vuillamy, the furniture man,” cried the Prince.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) Does the patient slam doors, kick furniture, throw things?

(NPI - Slam doors, Kick Furniture, Throw Things, NCI Thesaurus)

Apparently the tenants had brought little or nothing with them, and all the furniture down to the smallest details had been taken over with the house.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The nature and the simplicity of gentlemen and ladies, with their servants and furniture, I think is best observed by meals within doors.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

Babies and young children are also at risk of falling - off of furniture and down stairs, for example.

(Falls, NIH: National Institute on Aging)

The preparations of new carriages and furniture might wait for London and spring, when her own taste could have fairer play.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)