washroom

IPA/ˈwɒʃruːm/
KK[wˈɑʃrˌum]IPA/ˈwɑːʃruːm/

washroom — noun

  • washroomsingular
  • washroomsplural

1. a room in places like restaurants, schools, and offices where people use a toile

1.nounB1
Definition

a room in places like restaurants, schools, and offices where people use a toilet or wash their hands

Example

Theo asked the waiter where the washroom was before ordering his meal.

asking for location: 'where the washroom is'

The washroom on the second floor was closed for cleaning until noon.

passive: 'the washroom was closed for cleaning'

Common collocations
  • men's washroom
  • women's washroom
  • public washroom
  • go to the washroom
  • use the washroom
  • washroom facilities
  • washroom attendant
Synonyms
  • restroom

    Standard term in American English; used in public places like restaurants and airports

  • bathroom

    More common in American homes; sometimes used for public toilets too, though it usually implies a bathtub or shower

  • toilet

    Direct term used in British English and many other varieties; can sound blunt in some contexts

  • lavatory

    Formal and old-fashioned; often used on signs in airplanes and trains

Grammar Patterns

the + washroom

washroom + noun

Usage Note

Common in Canadian English as a polite term for a public toilet room. In the US, 'restroom' or 'bathroom' is preferred; in the UK, 'toilet' or 'the loo' is more common.

Common Mistakes

I need to use the washroom to take a shower.
I need to use the washroom to wash my hands.
a washroom has sinks and toilets but usually no shower or bathtub.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words refer to a room with a toilet, but they differ in region and formality. 'Washroom' is the standard polite term in Canadian English, used in schools, restaurants, and other public buildings. 'Restroom' serves the same polite role in the United States. 'Bathroom' in American English can refer to a public toilet, though its core meaning includes a bathtub or shower — using it for a public restroom is common but technically imprecise. 'Toilet' is the direct, neutral term in British English and many other varieties; it can feel too blunt for some American or Canadian speakers. 'Lavatory' is formal and somewhat dated, now mostly seen on airplane signs. In everyday conversation, a Canadian might say 'I need to find a washroom', while an American would say 'restroom' and a British person would say 'toilet'.

restroom ↗bathroom ↗toilet ↗lavatory ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

Prepositions

  • to (go to the washroom)
  • in (in the washroom)

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

A compound of 'wash' (from Old English 'wascan', meaning to clean with water, of Germanic origin) and 'room' (from Old English 'rūm', meaning space or chamber). The word emerged in the early 20th century as a euphemistic term for a toilet room, avoiding the more direct 'toilet' or 'lavatory'. It became especially established in Canadian English.

First known use

1806

1806, in the meaning defined above