lavatory

IPA/ˈlævətri/
KK[lˈævətˌɔri]IPA/ˈlævətɔːri/

lavatory — noun

  • lavatorysingular
  • lavatoriesplural

1. a room in a building or vehicle that has a toilet for people to use when they ne

1.nounB1
Definition

a room in a building or vehicle that has a toilet for people to use when they need to get rid of waste from their bodies

Example

The flight attendant pointed to the lavatory at the back of the plane.

common on planes and trains

Before the tour began, Mei-Lin used the lavatory in the museum lobby.

Common collocations
  • public lavatory
  • men's lavatory
  • women's lavatory
  • nearest lavatory
  • lavatory facilities
  • lavatory compartment
Synonyms
  • toilet

    more common and direct; 'toilet' is the standard word in British English for everyday use

  • restroom

    American English equivalent; more common in the US for public facilities

  • bathroom

    American English, often used for home settings even when no bath is present

Usage Note

Frequently used in public transport settings (aircraft, trains) and on official signs. More formal than 'toilet' in British English and considered somewhat polite, though less common in everyday conversation.

Common Mistakes

I need to find the lavatory at their house' (in a casual home setting).
I need to find the toilet at their house.
'Lavatory' sounds overly formal for most homes in everyday speech.

Word family

  • lavatorial
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words refer to a room with a toilet, but they differ in register, region, and context. 'Toilet' is the most direct and common term in British English, used freely in homes and public places. 'Lavatory' is more formal and is frequently seen on signs in aircraft, trains, and older public buildings. 'Restroom' is the dominant American term for public toilet facilities and is considered polite. 'Bathroom' in American English covers both home toilet rooms and rooms with actual baths, but in British English it specifically means a room with a bath. 'Washroom' is mainly used in Canadian English. For example, a British passenger might say, 'The lavatory is at the front of the carriage,' while an American would likely say, 'The restroom is near the exit.'

toilet ↗restroom ↗bathroom ↗washroom ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • lavatory seat
  • lavatory compartment
  • lavatory sign

Phrases

  • nearest lavatory
  • public lavatory
  • men's lavatory
  • women's lavatory

Prepositions

  • in the lavatory
  • to the lavatory
  • near the lavatory

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

The word 'lavatory' comes from the Latin 'lavatorium' meaning 'a place for washing', from 'lavare' (to wash). It entered English through Old French 'lavatoire' in the 1300s. Originally it referred to a room or basin for washing hands and face. Over time, it became a polite euphemism for a toilet, gradually replacing the earlier meaning. The shift from 'wash place' to 'toilet' reflects a common pattern where words for washing are used as indirect references to toilets.