Cloakroom

Origin

cloak + room

Full definition of cloakroom

Noun

1. A room, in a public building such as a theatre, where coats and other belongings may be left temporarily.
2. (British) A room where luggage may be left, for example in an airport.
3. A private lounge next to a legislative chamber.
4. (British, euphemistic) lavatory, toilet

Usage notes

In the British sense “lavatory”, primarily used by estate agents when describing small, secondary lavatories (North America: half bath), and in occasional use as a posh term to denote the gents’ lavatory, such as at Fortnum & Mason,

BRITISH EUPHEMISMS, Knowledge Problem, June 26th, 2002 where it is contrasted with “ladies’ powder” (see powder room).

Synonyms

• (small lavatory, by estate agents) half bath North America

Antonyms

• (gents’ lavatory) powder room

Derived terms

• cloakroom attendant
• cloakroom ticket