divans

Meanings

1. 1nounplural

   Long, low, backless sofas or couches, often pushed against a wall and covered with cushions.

   Grammar: Plural of divan: the divans were soft; a single piece is a divan.

   Patterns

   • divans along the wall

   The room had two divans covered with bright cushions.

   Guests lounged on divans under the lamps.

   Old photographs show divans in the corner of the cafe.

2. 2nounpluralBritish

   Bed bases without a headboard or frame, made as a solid box with a mattress on top.

   Grammar: British English; singular is a divan bed.

   Patterns

   • divans with storage

   The shop sells divans with drawers underneath for storage.

   They bought two single divans for the spare room.

   These divans are cheaper than wooden bedframes.

Word forms

Common combinations

divan beds

The hotel had divan beds in every room.

low divans

Low divans lined the sitting room.

cushioned divans

Cushioned divans made the room feel cozy.

lounge on divans

They lounged on divans after dinner.

Synonyms and how they differ

couches

Couches is the everyday word and usually means sofas with backs and arms, unlike divans.

sofas

Sofas typically have backs and arms, while divans are lower and often plain.

settees

Settees is a more old-fashioned British term for small sofas, and does not suggest an Eastern style.

Word family

divan noun

one such sofa or bed base

divan bed noun

a bed with a solid base instead of a frame

Commonly confused: divans or divas?

Practice

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