saloon

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "saloon" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a large public room, typically one in a hotel or public building, used for entertainment, dancing, or drinking. For example, you could say, "The saloon was full of people dancing to the live band."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But there are plenty of quiet nooks, including some booth-like seating in a separate room dubbed The Saloon.

The Guardian - Travel

Let's leave Lord Justice Moses, first chairman of Ipso (the new press regulator), to his doomed role as latest "barman in the last-chance saloon" (in Hacked Off's characteristically winsome opinion).

The Guardian

His critics will say: His saloon bar politics don't make a lot of economic sense and his comments about immigration can leave a nasty taste in the mouth.

The Guardian

As Polly Burgin, she made her film debut in a low budget Monogram Western called Across the Rio Grande (1949), in which she portrayed a guitar-playing saloon singer, pleasantly warbling the title song.

The Guardian - Film

Everyone from media pundits and academic analysts to bookmakers and saloon bar bores expects what Brits call a hung parliament when no one wins: like the one elected in 2010 that ousted Labour's Gordon Brown but denied Cameron a majority.

The Guardian

The car in which Pope Francis travelled on his first day as head of the Roman Catholic church was a standard-issue, black saloon.

The Guardian

It's all maroon carpets and brown wooden seats, with the feel of a saloon or a tavern, or a bad 1980s ski lodge.

The Guardian - Sport

It was wine bar rather than saloon bar, in 80s terms.

The Guardian

A gaggle of us getting out of a station wagon to buy ice cream and stretch our legs brought the bad guys out of the saloon bar looking for fisticuffs and the settling of old scores.

The Guardian - Music

Of the others who matter, Nigel Farage was absent without leave when the gods were handing out competence, but in his own niche way he knows how to work the saloon bar on shared values and likeability.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was in effect a coming-out party for the new Jaguar, the S-type saloon.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "saloon" in historical contexts, ensure it aligns with the American Old West setting to maintain authenticity.

Common error

Avoid using "saloon" interchangeably with terms like "hatchback" or "SUV" when describing car body types; "saloon" specifically refers to a sedan with a separate boot/trunk.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "saloon" is as a noun. It denotes either a type of establishment serving alcoholic beverages, historically in the American Old West setting, or a specific body style for cars, particularly in British English. Ludwig provides examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "saloon" functions primarily as a noun, denoting either a tavern, especially one in the American Old West, or a type of car (sedan), particularly in British English. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts. Its frequency is very common, appearing predominantly in news and media, formal business settings, and scientific content. When writing, remember to consider the context, as "saloon" evokes distinct images depending on whether you're discussing history, automobiles, or entertainment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tavern

Focuses on the establishment as a place for drinking, similar to a "saloon" in a general sense.

barroom

Similar to bar, but emphasizes the room or space, closely related to a "saloon".

bar

Emphasizes the counter where drinks are served, which is a prominent feature of a "saloon".

taproom

A room where beer is drawn from taps and served, specifically a type of "saloon".

public house

A British term for a drinking establishment, comparable to a "saloon" in function.

drinking establishment

A more formal way to refer to a place where alcohol is served, like a "saloon".

lounge

Highlights the relaxation and seating area within an establishment, akin to a "saloon".

gin mill

A less common term for a cheap bar, which can sometimes be used similarly to "saloon".

sedan

Refers to a type of car body style, one of the secondary meanings of "saloon".

cabin

Refers to the area in a boat or yacht that is devoted to seated relaxation

FAQs

How is "saloon" typically used in a sentence?

The term "saloon" can refer to a tavern, especially in an American Old West context, or to a type of car with a separate boot. For example, "The cowboy walked into the saloon" or "The new model is a four-door saloon".

What are some synonyms for "saloon" when referring to a bar?

Alternatives for "saloon" in the context of a bar include "tavern", "bar", "pub", or "public house".

Is "saloon" commonly used to describe a type of car?

Yes, particularly in British English, "saloon" is a common term for a "sedan", a car with a separate boot/trunk.

What's the difference between a "saloon" and a "hatchback"?

A "saloon" is a car with a separate boot, while a "hatchback" has a rear door that opens upwards, with the rear window forming part of the door.