Meaning & use

art gallery

noun·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˈɑːt ˌɡæləri/
US/ˈɑːrt ˌɡæləri/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable

    A building or room where paintings and other works of art are shown to the public.

    Grammar: Countable: you can say a gallery, the gallery, or galleries. Often used with the definite article when referring to a specific one.

    Patterns

    • at an art gallery
    • in an art gallery
    • visit an art gallery

    We spent the morning at the art gallery looking at the new exhibition.

    The city's main art gallery is free to enter.

    She works as a guide at a small art gallery downtown.

  2. nouncountable

    A business that sells paintings and other works of art.

    Grammar: Countable: you can say a gallery or galleries. Often used with a possessive or name: a commercial gallery, the Tate Gallery.

    Patterns

    • a commercial art gallery
    • buy something from an art gallery
    • represent an artist

    The painting was bought by a private collector from a London art gallery.

    He runs an art gallery that specializes in contemporary sculpture.

    Many young artists hope to be represented by a good art gallery.

Word forms

pluralart galleries

Common combinations

visit an art gallery
We plan to visit an art gallery while we're in Paris.
at an art gallery
There's an interesting photography show at the art gallery this month.
art gallery exhibition
The art gallery exhibition features works by local painters.
commercial art gallery
A commercial art gallery needs to sell art to survive.
art gallery owner
The art gallery owner greeted us warmly.

Synonyms and how they differ

museum
A museum is usually larger and covers history, science, or culture, not just art; an art gallery focuses on visual art.
exhibition
An exhibition is a temporary display of art, while an art gallery is the place where art is shown or sold.

Commonly confused: art gallery or gallery?

art gallery vs gallery

A gallery can also mean a balcony or a long room, but an art gallery specifically shows or sells art.

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