ground-floor

IPA/ˌɡraʊnd ˈflɔː(r)/
IPA/ˌɡraʊnd ˈflɔːr/

ground-floor — noun

1. the floor in a building that you can enter directly from the street or the land

1.nounA2
Definition

the floor in a building that you can enter directly from the street or the land outside

Example

The dentist moved to the ground floor so older patients could avoid the stairs.

move to the ground floor for easier access

Our science lab is on the ground floor, next to the main entrance.

on the ground floor + place in a building

Common collocations
  • on the ground floor
  • the ground floor of the building
  • ground-floor lobby
  • ground-floor entrance
Synonyms
  • first floor

    American English for the street-level storey

  • street level

    focuses on height beside the street, not always the whole floor

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

on the ground floor

the ground floor of [building]

Usage Note

Often used when access from the street matters. In British English this is the usual term for the street-level storey, while American English often uses 'first floor' for the same level.

Common Mistakes

My office is in the ground floor.
My office is on the ground floor.
use 'on' when you talk about a floor in a building.

2. the chance to join a new business or activity at the beginning, before it become

2.nounB2
Definition

the chance to join a new business or activity at the beginning, before it becomes successful or crowded

Example

Rafael bought shares early because he wanted to get in on the ground floor.

get in on the ground floor

Aylin joined the tutoring app on the ground floor, before city schools signed up.

join on the ground floor of a growing project

Common collocations
  • get in on the ground floor
  • miss the ground floor
  • the ground floor of a business
  • a ground-floor chance
Synonyms
Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

get in on the ground floor

join on the ground floor

the ground floor of [business or trend]

Usage Note

Most often appears in business or investment talk, especially in 'get in on the ground floor'. It suggests joining early enough to benefit later if the idea grows.

Common Mistakes

I entered on the ground floor yesterday.
I got in on the ground floor of the startup.
this figurative sense usually needs 'get in on' and a new project, company, or trend.

ground-floor — adjective

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

For the literal building sense, 'ground floor' names the storey you can enter directly from outside. In British English this is the normal term, while American English often uses 'first floor' for the same level, so travellers need to watch the variety. 'Street level' points more to physical height beside the road and can describe an entrance or shopfront without naming the whole storey. 'Basement' is the opposite idea: a level below the ground outside. If a receptionist says the clinic is on the ground floor, you should expect to walk in without climbing stairs. If an American building directory says 'first floor', it may mean exactly the same place.

ground floorfirst floorstreet levelbasement ↗

Common collocations

Prepositions

  • on the ground floor

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

A compound of 'ground' and 'floor'. It first referred to the level of a building that meets the land outside, and from that physical image it later developed a figurative business sense about joining something at its earliest stage.