parlor

USAGE SUMMARY

"parlor" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used as a noun to refer to a room in a house used for social activities or to refer to a business that provides services such as beauty treatments. For example: "The parlor is full of people talking and socializing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These predictions are not just an academic exercise or a parlor trick; they help inform economic policy at the Fed, including how much stimulus to inject into the markets and whether to raise or lower interest rates.

The Guardian - Opinion

Kercher's murder is reduced to a parlor game and all roads lead to the inevitable, if not also foregone, conclusion that Knox and Sollecito are guilty.

The Guardian - Opinion

The tattoo parlor employees said that after they felt the explosion, they saw firemen on top of the building communicating with firemen on the ground.

The Guardian

I worked at an ice-cream parlor in college, and they were famous for making sundaes sloppily and having the hot fudge rolling over the sides.

The New York Times - Magazine

When we add the parlor tricks of social science to try to describe a deterministic, mechanical world of predictable outcomes we sacrifice a genuine search for truth to superficial certainty.

The Economist

Joseph Abbey must either give up the casket-selling business or become a licensed funeral establishment, which would require a layout parlor for 30 people, a display area for the coffins, the employment of a licensed funeral director and an embalming room.

The Economist

H. pictum, a shrub reaching a height of 4.5 metres (15 feet), often called parlor, or flowering, maple, is grown as a houseplant.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Google's Ngram shows that lots of archaic words appear to be resurfacing -- including gems like perchance, mayhaps and parlor.

Independent

I was even in a tattoo parlor and a man came in to ask the artist working on me if he could have one of the diminutive yellow creatures inked on his wrist.

Independent

The name, a nod to the space's onetime incarnation as a massage parlor, is borrowed from the most recent establishment, a bar.

The New Yorker

She has short, dark hair and tattoos winding up and down both arms, some of which she made herself during the eighteen years she owned and ran a tattoo parlor.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a historical setting, use "parlor" to evoke a sense of traditional domestic life and social interaction. It adds a touch of authenticity to your narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "parlor" interchangeably with modern terms like "living room" without considering the context. "Parlor" often implies a more formal, traditional space, so ensure it fits the setting and tone of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The noun "parlor" primarily functions as a designator of a specific room in a house, traditionally used for receiving guests and socializing. Ludwig examples show it also refers to commercial establishments like "tattoo parlor" or "ice-cream parlor". The word can also function metaphorically, as in "parlor game."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Encyclopedias

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

16%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "parlor" is a grammatically sound noun, frequently appearing in diverse contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig. Predominantly used in News & Media, it evokes a sense of tradition or refers to specific commercial establishments. While less common in modern conversation for living spaces, it remains appropriate in historical narratives or to denote businesses. Its usage helps writers create specific atmospheres, leveraging its subtle formality to achieve desired communicative effects. The word is still usable and correct.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

living room

Focuses on the room's function as a general living space.

sitting room

Emphasizes the room's use for relaxation and conversation.

front room

Highlights the room's location at the front of the house.

reception room

Implies a more formal space for receiving guests.

drawing room

A more traditional term for a formal reception room.

lounge

Emphasizes the room's purpose as a place for relaxation.

salon

Highlights the room's use for social gatherings and conversation.

tattoo studio

Refers specifically to a business establishment offering tattoo services.

ice cream shop

Specifies a business that sells ice cream.

funeral home

A business establishment for funerals.

FAQs

How can I use "parlor" in a sentence?

You can use "parlor" to describe a formal room in a house, as in, "The guests gathered in the parlor for conversation". It can also refer to a business, like, "She went to the tattoo parlor to get a new tattoo".

What are some synonyms for "parlor"?

Depending on the context, you can use "living room", "sitting room", or "front room" as synonyms for "parlor". When referring to a business, consider "shop" or "studio".

Is "parlor" an outdated term?

"Parlor" is less commonly used in modern everyday speech to describe a living space, but it remains appropriate in historical contexts or when referring to specific types of businesses, such as a tattoo parlor or ice cream parlor.

What is the difference between a "parlor" and a "salon"?

While both "parlor" and "salon" can refer to a reception room, "parlor" typically suggests a domestic setting, while "salon" often implies a more public or commercial space, or a gathering for intellectual or artistic discussions.