lavatory
gb/lˈævətˌɔɹi/ us/lˈævətˌɔɹi/
B1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
formal
B1
entity
1
a toilet or restroom
A toilet or restroom, often in public places or on transport.
Usage pattern:
the lavatory; a lavatory; [place]'s lavatory
Common mistake:
Often confused with laboratory (a place for science).
Synonyms
toilet (Most common general word (BrE and AmE).)
|
restroom (Common AmE polite term, especially in public places.)
|
bathroom (Common euphemism, even when there is no bath.)
|
washroom (Common in Canada and some public signage.)
Collocations
use the lavatory
|go to the lavatory
|public lavatory
|aircraft lavatory
|train lavatory
|lavatory door
|lavatory sign
|lavatory facilities
|lavatory attendant
|lavatory break
Themes
daily_life
|travel
|public_places
Examples
- Excuse me—where’s the lavatory?
- The plane has two lavatories, one at the front and one at the back.
- There’s a lavatory at the end of the corridor on the left.
Learner examples
- Where is the lavatory?
- I need to use the lavatory.
Noun
technical
C1
entity
2
a bathroom sink or washbasin
A bathroom sink (used mainly by builders and plumbers).
Usage pattern:
a lavatory; [material] lavatory; lavatory sink
Common mistake:
In everyday English, ‘lavatory’ usually means a toilet/restroom, not a sink.
Synonyms
washbasin (General term for a basin used for washing.)
|
bathroom sink (Everyday term in home contexts.)
|
basin (Common BrE term for a sink used for washing.)
Collocations
lavatory sink
|wall-hung lavatory
|pedestal lavatory
|porcelain lavatory
|install a lavatory
|replace the lavatory
|lavatory faucet
|lavatory drain
|lavatory basin
|lavatory cabinet
Themes
home
|housing
|tools
Examples
- The contractor installed a new lavatory in the powder room.
- The specification calls for a wall-mounted lavatory with a single-handle faucet.
- The lavatory drain was clogged and needed to be replaced.
Learner examples
- The bathroom has a lavatory (sink).
Grammar
Dictionary form
lavatory
IPA
GB/lˈævətˌɔɹi/
US/lˈævətˌɔɹi/
Syllables & stress
lav - at - ory (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (lav)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: lavatory
- Plural: lavatories
Word family
Expressions
go to the lavatory
1/ɡˈoʊ tə ðə lˈævətˌɔɹi/
fixed phrase
formal
go to the toilet
To go to the toilet.
Examples
- I’m just going to the lavatory—I'll be right back.
- She asked the flight attendant if she could go to the lavatory.
- He went to the lavatory before the meeting started.
lavatory attendant
1/lˈævətˌɔɹi ətˈɛndənt/
fixed phrase
person who manages public toilets
A worker who takes care of a public toilet.
Examples
- A lavatory attendant was restocking soap and paper towels.
- He worked as a lavatory attendant at the theatre.
- The hotel employed a lavatory attendant during busy events.
lavatory break
1/lˈævətˌɔɹi bɹˈeɪk/
fixed phrase
short break to use toilet
A short break to go to the toilet.
Examples
- Let’s take a quick lavatory break before we continue.
- The guide scheduled a lavatory break at the next stop.
- During the long meeting, he asked for a brief lavatory break.
lavatory humor
1/lˈævətˌɔɹi hjˈumɚ/
fixed phrase
jokes about bodily functions
Jokes about toilets and bodily functions.
Examples
- The movie relies heavily on lavatory humor.
- Some parents complained about the show’s lavatory humor.
- He dislikes lavatory humor and prefers more subtle comedy.
use the lavatory
1/jˈuz ðə lˈævətˌɔɹi/
fixed phrase
formal
use the toilet
To use the toilet.
Examples
- Passengers are asked to remain seated unless they need to use the lavatory.
- May I use the lavatory, please?
- You can use the lavatory after the seatbelt sign goes off.