verandah

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "verandah" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to a roofed platform along the outside of a house, level with the ground floor. It can also be spelled as "veranda" in some regions. Example: The family often spends their afternoons sitting on the verandah, enjoying the cool breeze and the view of the garden.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was while he was sleeping on a verandah there that he was found by Invisible Children.

The Guardian

His wife serves delicious food while his three daughters play happily on the verandah of the handsome wooden ranch house.The only thing that is not ideal about Mr Lucio's estate is its history.

The Economist

The inhabitants of Aceh, an ancient and wealthy independent state known for centuries as Mecca's verandah, practise a far more extreme form of Islam than seen elsewhere in the archipelago.Complicated conditionsIf Aceh or Irian Jaya existed in a more ideal and democratic Indonesia, their demands to run their own affairs might be more peacefully accommodated.

The Economist

They reaffirmed Mr Ouattara as the legitimate president but far from ending the crisis, this is expected to ratchet it up a further notch or two.On the verandah of a western ambassador's residence, a white rabbit flops down exhausted under armchair as the large overhead fans turn the torpid air.

The Economist

Their protest the day before prompted the undeclared curfew.Not far down the road back towards Srinagar, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, intercepted on his way to console the young men's families, sat with several comrades on the verandah of a police station.

The Economist

On the verandah, BBC hacks back from incognito trips to Zimbabwe, Mozambican electoral analysts and local investigative reporters compare notes.

The Economist

Hearing of a strange race of white men in his parts, the sultan of Ternate, the most powerful of the clove isles, sent for them and so the Europeans found the last secret source of spice.Look out from the expansive verandah of the sultan's palace in Ternate and one of history's great microcosms lies before you.

The Economist

"Mecca's verandah", as it was called, became a major trading centre in the 17th century and one of the most devoutly Islamic states in the region.

The Economist

Afternoon tea was being served, and a breeze floated across our room's private verandah.

Independent

But beneath the posters, a filthy and thin Indian baby named Jitendra sat listlessly on the verandah, dirt caking his cheeks, flies gathering around his eyes, mouth and snotty nose.

Independent

From here, you embark on a journey through a dreamlike afterlife that keeps jumping between remembered golden moments from Ranyevskaya's bygone era – afternoon tea on the verandah, a couple waltzing in evening dress – and more premonitory visions.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing architectural features, use "verandah" to evoke a sense of colonial or tropical settings. It's particularly effective for adding character to descriptions of older homes or resorts.

Common error

Avoid using "verandah" interchangeably with "balcony" or "porch." While all are outdoor extensions, "verandah" specifically implies a ground-level, roofed structure, often extending along the side of a building.

Linguistic Context

The word "verandah" functions primarily as a noun, denoting a specific type of architectural structure attached to a building. Ludwig examples showcase its use in describing physical locations and settings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "verandah" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun that describes a roofed platform along the outside of a building. Ludwig AI confirms this, and the numerous examples provided demonstrate its common usage, especially in News & Media contexts. While alternatives such as "porch" or "patio" exist, "verandah" specifically evokes a colonial or tropical ambiance, as also shown by Ludwig examples. Remembering this can enhance your writing and ensure accurate descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

porch

A general term for a covered entrance to a building.

lanai

A Hawaiian term for a type of veranda, often used in tropical or subtropical contexts.

patio

Describes a paved outdoor area, typically for dining or recreation.

deck

Suggests a raised, often wooden platform extending from a house.

terrace

Refers to a level paved area or platform next to a building; often implies a more formal or landscaped space.

loggia

A covered exterior gallery or corridor, often with an arcaded or colonnaded front.

balcony

An elevated platform projecting from the wall of a building, typically enclosed by a railing or balustrade.

portico

A structure consisting of a roof supported by columns at regular intervals, typically attached as a porch to a building.

gallery

A covered walkway or promenade, often open on one side.

stoop

A small platform or set of steps leading to the entrance of a house.

FAQs

How do you use "verandah" in a sentence?

You can use "verandah" to describe a covered area outside a building, such as: "They sat on the verandah, enjoying the evening breeze."

What's the difference between a "verandah" and a porch?

While both are covered entrances, a "verandah" is typically larger and extends along the side of a building, whereas a porch is usually smaller and at the front entrance.

Which is the correct spelling, "verandah" or veranda?

"Verandah" and veranda are both correct spellings. "Verandah" is more common in some regions, while veranda is used in others.

What can I say instead of "verandah"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "porch", "patio", or "deck", though these have slightly different connotations.