Garret Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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garret

[ˈɡærɪt ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

room

A small attic or semi-finished room just below the roof of a house.

Synonyms

attic, loft, penthouse.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
garret	Used to describe a small, often cramped room at the top of a house, typically under the roof. Historically, it has been associated with poor living conditions. The struggling writer lived in a garret, scraping by with very little money. She found an old trunk filled with photographs in the garret.
attic	Refers to a space or room just below the roof of a house, typically used for storage. It can be finished or unfinished. We keep our holiday decorations in the attic. The children turned the attic into their secret playroom.
loft	Usually refers to a large, open space in a building, often with high ceilings, that can be used for living or working. Lofts are often associated with urban settings and can be luxurious. They converted the old warehouse into a stylish loft. She rented a loft in the city with huge windows and lots of natural light.
penthouse	Describes a luxurious apartment or suite located on the top floor of a building, often with a private terrace and offering great views. He bought a penthouse overlooking Central Park. The penthouse suite includes a private pool and a rooftop garden.

Examples of usage

He converted the garret into a cozy reading nook.
The garret was filled with old furniture and boxes.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

literature

A garret can also refer to a poor, small, dismal room or part of a house.

Synonyms

hovel, shack, shanty.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
garret	Used for a small, often cramped room at the top of a house, usually under the roof. Often associated with artists or writers who have little money. The aspiring painter lived in a tiny garret overlooking the city The garret was barely furnished, with a single bed and an old wooden desk
hovel	Describes a small, squalid, and often dirty house or living space. Has a strong negative connotation, implying poor conditions. They lived in a hovel at the edge of town, with holes in the walls and a leaking roof The hovel was barely standing, with broken windows and a dirt floor
shack	Refers to a small, crudely built hut or cabin, often made of wood. Typically suggests basic conditions and a temporary or makeshift nature. The fishermen lived in shacks by the river The family built a wooden shack as a temporary shelter after the storm
shanty	Similar to a shack, but often used to describe a poorly built and overcrowded dwelling usually found in poorer areas, like slums. The community was full of shanties, with little access to clean water or electricity Children played in the narrow streets between the shanties

Examples of usage

The protagonist lived in a garret in the novel.
She wrote her first book in a cold garret.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'garret'

The word 'garret' originated from Middle English 'garite', which came from Old French 'guerite', meaning 'watchtower'. Over time, the meaning evolved to refer to a small or poor room, usually located in the attic of a building. Garrets were commonly used as living quarters by servants or poor individuals. Today, the term is often used in literature to depict humble or cozy living spaces.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #21,891, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

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21889 vibrated
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21891 garret
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