reservation
gb/ɹˌɛzɚvˈeɪʃən/ us/ɹˌɛzɚvˈeɪʃən/
A2
English
~ 3600
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
An arrangement to secure something in advance
An agreement to keep a place, seat, or room for someone at a certain time.
Usage pattern:
to make [a] reservation for [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'reservation' with 'preservation'; 'reservation' is about booking in advance, not protecting something.
Synonyms
booking (Commonly used in British English; otherwise similar in meaning.)
Antonyms
walk-in (Refers to someone arriving without an advance arrangement.)
Collocations
make a reservation
|confirm a reservation
|cancel a reservation
|dinner reservation
|hotel reservation
Themes
travel
|daily life
|business
|daily_life
Examples
- I called the restaurant to make a reservation for Saturday night.
- Our hotel reservation was confirmed by email.
- She forgot to cancel her flight reservation and lost the money.
- We have a reservation under the name Johnson.
- Without a reservation, you might have to wait for hours.
Learner examples
- I have a dinner reservation at 7 p.m.
- He made a hotel reservation online.
- We need a reservation for the train.
- Do you have a reservation for tonight?
- They cancelled their reservation at the cafe.
Noun
B1
state
2
A feeling of doubt or concern
A feeling that something may not be a good idea or may not be completely right.
Usage pattern:
[someone] has reservations about [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'reservations' in this sense with the travel-related meaning; context is important.
Synonyms
doubt (A more general term for uncertainty; 'reservation' often implies polite or partial disagreement.)
Antonyms
confidence (Indicates full trust or certainty, opposite of hesitation.)
Collocations
have reservations about
|express reservations
|serious reservations
|minor reservations
Themes
emotions
|communication
Examples
- I have reservations about signing this contract.
- She expressed her reservations regarding the new policy.
- Despite his reservations, he agreed to join the project.
- The committee approved the plan with some reservations.
- They voiced their reservations before voting.
Learner examples
- I have reservations about this idea.
- She has reservations about meeting him alone.
- He agreed, but with some reservations.
- They have no reservations about helping us.
Noun
B2
entity
3
Land set aside for a group or purpose
Land kept by the government for Indigenous people or animals.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'reservation' with 'reserve', which can also mean to book something.
Synonyms
reserve ('Reserve' is more common when referring to land for wildlife; 'reservation' is more common in U.S. contexts for Indigenous land.)
Collocations
Indian reservation
|wildlife reservation
Themes
geography
|society
|law
|politics
|nature
Examples
- The tribe lives on a large reservation in the southwest.
- We visited a wildlife reservation during our trip.
- Many Native Americans still reside on reservations.
- The government expanded the boundaries of the reservation.
Learner examples
- They live on a Native American reservation.
- We went to see animals on the wildlife reservation.
- The reservation is far from the city.
Grammar
Dictionary form
reservation
IPA
GB/ɹˌɛzɚvˈeɪʃən/
US/ɹˌɛzɚvˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
re - ser - va - tion (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ser)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: reservation
- Plural: reservation, reservations
Word family
Forms
reservations
noun
Core family
reserve
verb A2
Related words
reserved
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
unreserved
adjective
Advanced or less common
reservationist
noun
unreservedly
adverb
Expressions
have reservations about
1/hˈæv ɹˌɛzɚvˈeɪʃənz əbˈaʊt/
fixed phrase
Feel uncertain or hesitant about something
To feel unsure if something is a good idea or right.
Examples
- I have reservations about moving to another city so quickly.
- She had reservations about trusting him completely.
make a reservation
1/mˈeɪk ə ɹˌɛzɚvˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
Arrange something in advance for use later
To arrange in advance to have something kept for you, like a table or room.
Examples
- I need to make a reservation at the new restaurant.
- You should make a reservation before visiting during peak season.
without reservation
1/wɪðˈaʊt ɹˌɛzɚvˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
Completely and without doubt or limit
With complete agreement or approval, without any doubt or limit.
Examples
- I support your decision without reservation.
- They welcomed us without reservation.