door
gb/dˈɔɹ/ us/dˈɔɹ/
A1
English
~ 400
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A1
entity
1
Movable barrier in a wall opening
A flat object that opens and closes to let people go in or out of a room or building.
Usage pattern:
to open/close [a door]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'door' with 'gate'; 'gate' is usually for outdoor entrances or fences.
Synonyms
gate (Usually larger and often used for outdoor entrances or fences.)
Antonyms
opening (An unblocked space without a barrier.)
Collocations
open the door
|lock the door
|knock on the door
|close the door
|behind closed doors
Themes
daily life
|home
|buildings
|housing
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She knocked on the front door before entering.
- Please close the door when you leave.
- The wind slammed the door shut.
- He stood at the door, waiting to be invited in.
- We installed a new glass door to the patio.
Learner examples
- I opened the door to go outside.
- The door is closed.
- He is standing at the door.
- Please shut the door.
- She walked through the door.
Noun
B1
entity
2
Opportunity or way to achieve something
A chance to get into a place, situation, or to do something new.
Usage pattern:
[something] is a door to [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may take this meaning literally when it is often figurative.
Synonyms
opportunity (A broader term for a favorable chance, not limited to access.)
Antonyms
barrier (Something that prevents entry or progress.)
Collocations
open doors
|a door to success
|close doors
Themes
opportunity
|career
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- This internship could be a door to your dream career.
- Learning another language opens many doors.
- That meeting closed the door on further negotiations.
Learner examples
- The job was a door to a better life.
- Speaking English can open many doors.
- He closed the door on that idea.
Noun
A2
entity
3
Space in wall for passage
The space where you go through to enter a room, usually with a door in it.
Synonyms
doorway (Specifically refers to the open space without necessarily including the physical barrier.)
Antonyms
wall (A solid barrier without an opening.)
Collocations
stand in the door
|walk through the door
Themes
buildings
|housing
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She appeared in the door with a smile.
- He stood in the door watching us work.
- They painted the door bright red.
Learner examples
- He is standing in the door.
- She walked through the door into the kitchen.
- I saw my friend in the door.
Grammar
Dictionary form
door
IPA
GB/dˈɔɹ/
US/dˈɔɹ/
Syllables & stress
door (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (door)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: door
- Plural: doors
Word family
Forms
doors
noun
Related words
doorstep
noun
doorman
noun
Negative and opposite forms
doorless
adjective
Advanced or less common
doorkeeper
noun B2
Expressions
come knocking on someone's door
1/kˈʌm nˈɑkɪŋ ˈɔn sˈʌmwˌʌnz dˈɔɹ/
idiom
informal
Approach with request or offer
To ask someone for help, work, or something else they can give.
Examples
- They came knocking on our door for donations.
- Opportunities came knocking on her door after graduation.
lay something at someone's door
1/lˈeɪ sˈʌmθɪŋ ˈæt sˈʌmwˌʌnz dˈɔɹ/
idiom
Blame someone for something bad
To say that someone is responsible for something bad that happened.
Examples
- They laid the failure at his door.
- The problems were unfairly laid at her door.
show someone the door
1/ʃˈoʊ sˈʌmwˌʌn ðə dˈɔɹ/
idiom
Dismiss someone from place/position
To tell someone to leave, usually because they are not wanted there.
Examples
- After his rude comment, they showed him the door.
- The manager showed the reporter the door.
at death's door
1/ˈæt dˈɛθs dˈɔɹ/
idiom
informal
Very close to dying
Very sick or injured and likely to die soon.
Examples
- After the accident, he was at death's door for weeks.
- She looked like she was at death's door with that flu.
at death's door
2/ˈæt dˈɛθs dˈɔɹ/
idiom
Very close to death
Very sick or almost dying.
Examples
- He was at death's door after the accident.
- The patient was at death's door but recovered.
behind closed doors
1/bɪhˈaɪnd klˈoʊzd dˈɔɹz/
idiom
with no outsiders present
in a private place, with no people from outside watching or listening
Examples
- The negotiations took place behind closed doors.
- Important negotiations took place behind closed doors.
- The key decisions were made behind closed doors.
- They prefer to discuss family matters behind closed doors.
- They always argue behind closed doors.
- They like to keep their negotiations behind closed doors.
- A lot of bullying happens behind closed doors, where teachers cannot see it.
behind closed doors
2/bɪhˈaɪnd klˈoʊzd dˈɔɹz/
idiom
In private, secretly
In secret, where other people cannot see or know what happens.
Examples
- The deal was made behind closed doors.
- They discussed the matter behind closed doors.
behind closed doors
3/bɪhˈaɪnd klˈoʊzd dˈɔɹz/
idiom
In private, secretly
Happening in private, where people cannot see or know about it.
Examples
- The deal was made behind closed doors.
- They met behind closed doors to discuss the plan.