Hallway: meaning, definitions and examples

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hallway

[ˈhɔːlweɪ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

in a building

A hallway is a long narrow passage in a building, with rooms on one or both sides.

Synonyms

corridor, passageway.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
hallway	Typically used in homes, schools, and small buildings. It creates a casual and familiar tone. Please leave your shoes in the hallway. The hallway was decorated with family photos.
corridor	Used in more formal settings, like offices, hospitals, and large buildings. It suggests a longer and often narrower path. We need to keep the corridor clear for emergency exits. The meeting room is located at the end of the corridor.
passageway	Often used to describe narrow or hidden paths, sometimes between buildings or within older structures. It can evoke a sense of mystery or historical context. The secret passageway led to an underground chamber. You must go through a short passageway to reach the garden.

Word

Description / Examples

hallway

Typically used in homes, schools, and small buildings. It creates a casual and familiar tone.

Please leave your shoes in the hallway.
The hallway was decorated with family photos.

corridor

Used in more formal settings, like offices, hospitals, and large buildings. It suggests a longer and often narrower path.

We need to keep the corridor clear for emergency exits.
The meeting room is located at the end of the corridor.

passageway

Often used to describe narrow or hidden paths, sometimes between buildings or within older structures. It can evoke a sense of mystery or historical context.

The secret passageway led to an underground chamber.
You must go through a short passageway to reach the garden.

Examples of usage

The hallway was lined with pictures of famous artists.
I heard footsteps echoing down the hallway.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

in a school

A hallway in a school is a long passage with classrooms on either side.

Synonyms

corridor, passageway.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
hallway	Commonly used in residential buildings, referring to the area just inside the front door or a path inside the home. She left her shoes in the hallway The hallway leads to the kitchen
corridor	Often used in schools, hotels, hospitals, or office buildings, indicating a long, narrow area connecting rooms. The teacher asked the students to walk quietly in the corridor Their office is at the end of the corridor
passageway	Describes a narrow path or tunnel, usually in older or more formal contexts, and sometimes underground or not straightforward. The secret passageway led to a hidden chamber They found a narrow passageway between the buildings

Word

Description / Examples

hallway

Commonly used in residential buildings, referring to the area just inside the front door or a path inside the home.

She left her shoes in the hallway
The hallway leads to the kitchen

corridor

Often used in schools, hotels, hospitals, or office buildings, indicating a long, narrow area connecting rooms.

The teacher asked the students to walk quietly in the corridor
Their office is at the end of the corridor

passageway

Describes a narrow path or tunnel, usually in older or more formal contexts, and sometimes underground or not straightforward.

The secret passageway led to a hidden chamber
They found a narrow passageway between the buildings

Examples of usage

The students gathered in the hallway before the bell rang.
I saw my friend waiting for me in the hallway.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from Middle English 'hal' meaning 'hall' and 'wey' meaning 'way' or 'path'.
In the 14th century, it referred to the passageways in large medieval homes or castles.

Architecture

Hallways can vary greatly in design, from narrow corridors to wide, open spaces adorned with art and furniture.
Historically, the layout of hallways played an essential role in controlling the flow of movement in a building.

Cultural Significance

In literature and film, hallways often symbolize transitions or the journey between different parts of life or story arcs.
Hallways are frequently used in horror films to create suspense, emphasizing isolation and the unknown.

Psychology

Research suggests that long hallways can evoke feelings of anxiety or unease, especially in unfamiliar settings.
Hallways can affect how people communicate; wider spaces promote more social interaction compared to narrow ones.

Usage in Everyday Life

In homes, hallways often serve as spaces for family photos or decorative elements like mirrors and plants.
School hallways are crucial for facilitating movement between classrooms and fostering social interactions among students.

Translations

Translations of the word "hallway" in other languages:

🇵🇹 corredor

🇮🇳 गलियारा

🇩🇪 Flur

🇮🇩 lorong

🇺🇦 коридор

🇵🇱 korytarz

🇯🇵 廊下 (ろうか, rouka)

🇫🇷 couloir

🇪🇸 pasillo

🇹🇷 koridor

🇰🇷 복도 (bokdo)

🇸🇦 ممر

🇨🇿 chodba

🇸🇰 chodba

🇨🇳 走廊 (zǒuláng)

🇸🇮 hodnik

🇮🇸 gangur

🇰🇿 дәліз

🇬🇪 დერეფანი

🇦🇿 dəhliz

🇲🇽 pasillo