Meaning & use
door latch
Last updated
Meaning
nouncountable
A metal or plastic device on a door that keeps it closed by catching in a hole or slot, often able to be opened by a handle.
Grammar: Countable: you can say 'a door latch' or 'door latches'.
Patterns
- a door latch on something
- open the door latch
The door latch was broken, so the door wouldn't stay shut.
She lifted the door latch and walked in.
He replaced the old door latch with a new one.
Word forms
| plural | door latches |
|---|
Common combinations
- lift the latch
- He lifted the latch and pushed the door open.
- broken latch
- The broken latch meant the door kept swinging open.
- latch the door
- Please latch the door when you leave.
Synonyms and how they differ
Word family
- latch verb
- To latch something means to fasten it with a latch.
Commonly confused: door latch or door lock?
door latch vs door lock
A door lock is used for security and needs a key, while a door latch just keeps the door closed.
Practice
What is the main function of a door latch?
Choose one answer.
A door latch is designed to keep a door closed, often with a simple mechanism. It does not provide security like a lock, nor is it decorative or automatic.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “door latch”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.