What does lounge mean?
A lounge is a room or designated area where people can sit, relax, converse, or wait, such as one in a hotel, airport, or club. In British and American English, the term is also used for a comfortable sitting room in a house or other building, though it can sound somewhat formal in that setting. As a verb, “lounge” means to spend time relaxing or doing little, as in “They lounged around on the sofa.” The word often conveys a leisurely atmosphere, especially when paired with words such as “hotel,” “airport,” “bar,” and “music.” Its history comes through French, where the noun was associated with a long room, ultimately reflecting the Latin root for “long.” The word is useful because it can name both a physical space designed for relaxation and the relaxed activity of spending time without a specific task.
A room or area where people can sit, relax, converse, or wait.
"We met in the airport lounge near the departure gates."
Common in public places such as hotels, airports, clubs, and stations; in a house, it may sound slightly formal.
To spend time relaxing or doing little.
"They lounged by the window and talked for hours."
Often informal, especially in the expression “lounge around”; it implies relaxed inactivity rather than purposeful work.
The plural is used for multiple rooms or areas where people can relax or socialize.
"The hotel has several lounges overlooking the sea."
From the French word for “long,” lounge originally referred to a long room in a house—an early example of a space designed for lingering.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does lounge come from?
The noun entered English in the 19th century from French “lounge,” a term associated with a long room, derived from the feminine form of French “long.” These forms ultimately trace to Latin “longus,” meaning “long.” The verb developed from the idea of reclining or resting in such a space and is now common in the informal expression “lounge around.”
Related word forms
How lounge is actually used
As a noun, “lounge” is common in British and American English, especially for hotel, airport, and club facilities. “Lounge around” is informal and suggests relaxing without doing much.
Easily confused with lounge
A lounge is a place to relax or a verb meaning to spend time idly, whereas a lunge is a sudden forward movement or thrust.