Meaning & use
bay window
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Meaning
nouncountable
A window that projects outward from the wall of a building, often with a curved or angled shape.
Grammar: Countable: one bay window, two bay windows.
Patterns
- a bay window
- in the bay window
The living room has a large bay window overlooking the garden.
She sat in the bay window reading a book.
They added a bay window to make the room feel bigger.
Word forms
| plural | bay windows |
|---|
Common combinations
- large bay window
- The large bay window lets in plenty of light.
- sit in the bay window
- The cat likes to sit in the bay window.
- bay window seat
- A bay window seat is a cozy place to read.
- bay window overlooking
- We have a bay window overlooking the park.
Synonyms and how they differ
- oriel window
- A more technical term for a bay window that is supported by brackets and does not reach the ground.
- bow window
- A curved bay window, usually with more than three panes; a bay window can be angular.
Commonly confused: bay window or bow window?
bay window vs bow window
A bow window is curved, while a bay window is often angled or rectangular. People sometimes use them interchangeably, but architects distinguish them.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'bay window' correctly?
Choose one answer.
A bay window is a window that projects from a wall, so it can be opened. The other options confuse it with a car window or a door window.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “bay window”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.