carrel

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "carrel" is correct and usable in written English.
It refers to a small study area or cubicle, often found in libraries, where individuals can work quietly. Example: "She found a quiet carrel in the library to focus on her research."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

You could be sitting now in a carrel.

The New Yorker

Eliezer is a stolid, unsmiling man in his seventies who walks with his head down, too intent on his own thoughts to notice anything, comfortable only in his carrel in the university library or at his desk at home, where he cuts off the world by wearing headphones.

The New Yorker

I sat in a remote study carrel in the library's stacks, next to a narrow, dim window with an interior view, and idled through the brittle pages in bound volumes.

The New Yorker

A carrel is a recessed desk bounded on three sides by soundproof panels & equipped wit with a television screen, selective dialing system, two loudspeakers, a microphone, and earphones.

The New Yorker

Its subject is train travel — in particular, how nice it is: I've always been a claustrophile, and I think that explains some of the appeal — the train is bounded, compartmentalized, and cozily small, like a carrel in a college library.

The New Yorker

But the train cabin itself might feel familiar — the ideal space for a writer, like a carrel in a college library.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

"I solved the case in my head," he had said earlier in the day, sitting in a hallway of the New York Public Library, just below the carrel-filled study where he wrote a good portion of the book.

The New York Times

First used during World War I, Dakin's solution was the product of a long search by an English chemist, Henry Drysdale Dakin, and a French surgeon, Alexis Carrel, for an ideal wound antiseptic.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The man in the middle of it all was Alexis Carrel, a brilliant and rather dapper Frenchman working at the Rockefeller Institute in New York.

The Guardian

This is so that female cells do not have twice as much genetic activity as male cells.However, work by Laura Carrel, at Pennsylvania State University, and Huntington Willard, at Duke University in North Carolina, now shows that this inactivation is not complete.

The Economist

Dakin's solution, also called Dakin's fluid, or Carrel Dakin fluid, antiseptic solution containing sodium hypochlorite and developed to treat infected wounds.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "carrel" when specifically referring to a partially enclosed study space, typically found in libraries or academic settings. It's more precise than a general "study area".

Common error

Avoid using "carrel" interchangeably with broader terms like "study area" or "workstation". "Carrel" implies a degree of enclosure and privacy, so reserve it for spaces that offer that characteristic.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "carrel" is as a noun, referring to a physical object: a partially enclosed study space. Ludwig examples show it used in sentences describing locations and activities within such spaces.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Encyclopedias

14%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

27%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "carrel" is a noun that denotes a partially enclosed study space, commonly found in libraries and academic institutions. According to Ludwig, the term is grammatically sound and suitable for use in written English. With a "Common" frequency, it's not overly rare but provides a more specific description than a general "study area". Usage is primarily found in "News & Media", encyclopedias, and scientific contexts. For alternatives, consider "study cubicle" or "library nook" for similar meanings. Remember to use "carrel" when you want to emphasize the partially enclosed nature of the study space.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

study carrel

A more emphatic way to call a carrel.

study cubicle

More descriptive and directly refers to a small, partitioned space for studying.

library nook

Highlights the location within a library and suggests a cozy, secluded spot.

study booth

Emphasizes the enclosed aspect, similar to a booth in a restaurant.

reading alcove

Focuses on the act of reading and suggests a recessed area.

research station

Implies a more formal or dedicated area for research.

private study area

General term indicating a space for individual study, lacking the specific architectural detail.

individual study space

Focuses on the individual aspect of the location.

isolated study space

Highlights the separation from others, useful when emphasizing privacy.

workstation

A more general term that refers to the location where work is done, can be applied to various environments.

FAQs

How is the word "carrel" typically used in a sentence?

The word "carrel" is usually used to describe a small, enclosed study space in a library or academic setting. For example, "She found a quiet carrel in the library to work on her thesis".

What is another term for a "carrel"?

Alternatives for "carrel" include "study cubicle", "study booth", or "reading alcove", all referring to a small, private area for studying or reading.

Is it correct to use "carrel" to describe any study area?

While "carrel" refers to a study area, it specifically denotes a partially enclosed one, offering some privacy. It's not appropriate for open, shared study spaces.

What are the key features of a "carrel" in a library?

A "carrel" typically includes a desk surface and partial walls for privacy, making it conducive to focused study. Libraries often have many carrels for students and researchers.