bar

USAGE SUMMARY

The word “bar” is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as a noun to refer to a place where alcoholic drinks are served or a counter where food and drinks are served, or as a verb meaning to exclude something or someone. For example: "We decided to hit the bar after work" or "The judge barred the jury from talking about the case."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Dress like you deserve respect, not a spot at a bar.

The Guardian

Steve Hibbert, bar manager at the Oaks Working Men's Club, where Pugh is employed, said he was shocked to see him being carried away from the scene on a stretcher in television footage.

The Guardian

In response, it cleaned up its act, and thereby lifted the bar for the entire industry.

The New York Times

Even the most dedicated chocoholic would struggle to get their teeth into this bar.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Weighing almost six tonnes and measuring 4 metres (13ft) square, the giant slab of milk chocolate has broken the record for the world's largest chocolate bar.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Run from Carlisle to the Millennium Bridge in Gateshead in one day, or walk the route in two (there is free camping, hot showers and a real ale bar at the halfway point).

The Guardian - Travel

In the Lords, he became a fixture of the bar, always the centre of a disparate group of fellow peers, from right and left.

The Guardian

Its parties are as legendary, as they are fun, though you might wanna stay out of the downstairs bar unless you take this sort of thing very, very seriously.

The Guardian - Travel

In the Lords' bar, when both men were well into their 70s, Fitt would still mutter "that wee fucker" when Mason, by now a peer himself, came in.

The Guardian

The lights are low and atmospheric, fairy lights blink around a bar stacked with wine bottles.

The Guardian - Travel

So we wander to a bar to drink pisco sours and set the world to rights instead.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bar" as a verb, ensure the context clearly indicates whether you mean to physically block something or to prohibit an action.

Common error

Avoid mistaking "bar", referring to a place for drinks or an obstruction, with "barr", which is less common and usually a surname.

Linguistic Context

The word "bar" primarily functions as a noun, denoting a place where alcoholic beverages are served or a counter for serving food and drinks. It also functions as a verb, meaning to obstruct or prohibit as seen in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Travel

25%

Sport

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "bar" is versatile, functioning primarily as a noun or a verb. As a noun, it commonly refers to a place where drinks are served. As a verb, it means to obstruct or prohibit. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. The word's frequency is very common. When intending to convey 'except', synonyms like "except" or "excluding" can be used. Remember to differentiate "bar" from "barre" to avoid confusion. Sources from News & Media and Travel contexts are prevalent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

public house

A more formal synonym for a drinking establishment.

tavern

An older term for a drinking establishment, often implying a rustic setting.

ban

Formal synonym suggesting prohibition.

aside from

Equivalent to "bar" as a preposition, indicating exclusion.

gin mill

A slang term for a cheap or disreputable bar.

prohibition

A formal term for forbidding something.

obstruct

Formal synonym to "bar" as a verb, meaning to block.

legal profession

Referring to the collective body of lawyers.

hinder

Alternative verb to describe obstructing passage.

strip

A long narrow piece of something.

FAQs

How can I use "bar" in a sentence?

As a noun, you could say, "Let's meet at the "bar" after work." As a verb, you might say, "The entrance was "barred" by a large gate."

What's a less common meaning of "bar"?

Less commonly, "bar" can refer to a unit of pressure or one of the ordinaries in heraldry.

Which is correct, "bar" or "barre"?

"Bar" refers to a place to get drinks or a solid object, while "barre" is a horizontal handrail used in ballet.

What can I say instead of "bar" meaning 'except'?

You can use alternatives like "except", "excluding", or "apart from" depending on the context.