a balcony

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A small platform with a low wall or railing that sticks out from the wall of a building, usually above ground level.

   Grammar: Countable, so use a/an and plurals: a balcony, two balconies. The 'a' in the headword is just the article.

   Patterns

   • a balcony
   • on the balcony
   • a room with a balcony

   We had breakfast on the balcony and watched the sun come up.

   Their new apartment has a small balcony overlooking the park.

   She keeps pots of herbs on her balcony.

2. 2nouncountable

   An area of seats upstairs in a theater or hall, above the main floor.

   Grammar: Often used with 'in the': we sat in the balcony.

   Patterns

   • in the balcony
   • the balcony seats

   We sat in the balcony, so the actors looked quite small.

   Balcony seats are usually cheaper than the ones downstairs.

Word forms

Common combinations

on the balcony

They stood on the balcony and waved to the crowd below.

a room with a balcony

We booked a room with a balcony facing the sea.

a balcony overlooking something

The flat has a balcony overlooking the river.

step out onto the balcony

He stepped out onto the balcony for some fresh air.

balcony door

Please close the balcony door; it's getting cold.

Synonyms and how they differ

terrace

A terrace is usually larger and often at ground level or on a roof, while a balcony is a small platform attached to a wall.

veranda

A veranda is a covered area along the outside of a house, normally on the ground floor, so it is not the same as an upstairs balcony.

Word family

balconied adjective

Having a balcony or balconies, as in 'a balconied hotel room'.

Commonly confused: a balcony or baloney? a balcony or patio?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “a balcony”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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