Meaning & use
Z-beds
Last updated
“Z-beds” is a form of “Z-bed”.
Meaning
nounpluralBritish
Folding beds with a frame shaped like the letter Z when opened.
Grammar: The singular is Z-bed; use 'a Z-bed' for one and 'Z-beds' for two or more.
Patterns
- a Z-bed
- two Z-beds
- sleep on a Z-bed
We keep two Z-beds in the spare room for guests.
The children slept on Z-beds while their cousins took the big beds.
A Z-bed folds flat and slides under a normal bed.
Word forms
| singular | Z-bed |
|---|
Common combinations
- a spare Z-bed
- There's a spare Z-bed in the attic if you need it.
- fold out a Z-bed
- We fold out a Z-bed whenever my brother stays over.
- put someone on a Z-bed
- They put me on a Z-bed in the study.
Synonyms and how they differ
- camp bed
- British term for a simple low folding bed, often lighter and used for camping rather than guests.
- cot
- In American English a cot is a small folding bed for guests; in British English a cot is a baby's bed, so the meaning differs.
Commonly confused: Z-beds or bunk bed?
Z-beds vs bunk bed
A bunk bed has two beds stacked on top of each other, while a Z-bed is a single folding bed.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'Z-beds' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The plural simply adds -s to Z-bed, giving 'Z-beds'. The other options either leave out the plural ending or add a wrong one.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “Z-beds”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.