Meaning & use
doorkeeper
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountable
A person whose job is to guard or control an entrance, checking who comes in and out.
Grammar: Countable: a doorkeeper, two doorkeepers. Often used with 'the' when the job is specific.
Patterns
- a doorkeeper at something
- work as a doorkeeper
- the doorkeeper let someone in
The doorkeeper checked our names before letting us in.
He worked as a doorkeeper at the old theater.
A doorkeeper stood at the main entrance all night.
nouncountableformal
A person who attends the door at a formal meeting or religious building.
Grammar: Countable and often used in formal or religious contexts.
Patterns
- the doorkeeper of a temple
- appoint someone as doorkeeper
The doorkeeper of the temple welcomed visitors at dawn.
She was appointed doorkeeper for the annual meeting.
Word forms
| plural | doorkeepers |
|---|
Common combinations
- the doorkeeper at the entrance
- The doorkeeper at the entrance asked for our tickets.
- work as a doorkeeper
- He works as a doorkeeper at a large hotel.
- the doorkeeper let us in
- The doorkeeper let us in through a side door.
- a temple doorkeeper
- A temple doorkeeper showed us where to leave our shoes.
Synonyms and how they differ
- doorman
- The everyday word for someone who guards the entrance to a hotel or apartment building.
- gatekeeper
- Similar, but usually for a gate or for someone who controls access to information or people.
- porter
- A person who carries luggage and may also watch an entrance; the job includes more than guarding the door.
Word family
Commonly confused: doorkeeper or doorknob? doorkeeper or doorman?
doorkeeper vs doorknob
A doorknob is the round handle you turn to open a door; a doorkeeper is a person.
doorkeeper vs doorman
Doorman is the more common everyday word, especially for hotels and apartment buildings. Doorkeeper sounds more formal or old-fashioned.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'doorkeeper' correctly?
Choose one answer.
A doorkeeper guards or checks people at an entrance, so A fits. B, C, and D describe other jobs such as a repairman, cleaner, or cook.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “doorkeeper”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.