arbour
A sheltered, shady place in a garden or park, typically formed by trees or climbing plants growing over a wooden frame. It is designed to provide a quiet area for sitting and relaxation away from direct sunlight.
Examples
3 of 5We spent the hot afternoon reading books in the cool shade of the garden arbour.
We spent the hot afternoon reading books in the cool shade of the garden arbour.
The historic estate features a magnificent rose arbour that has been preserved since the Victorian era.
The historic estate features a magnificent rose arbour that has been preserved since the Victorian era.
Check out that vine-covered arbour in the backyard; it's the perfect spot for a nap.
Check out that vine-covered arbour in the backyard; it's the perfect spot for a nap.
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of 'Arbor Day' (the tree-planting holiday) and imagine a 'Bower' of trees. Arbour = Arbor (trees) + Bower (shelter).
Quick Quiz
The couple shared a quiet moment under the ____, surrounded by blooming jasmine and climbing vines.
Correct!
The correct answer is: arbour
Examples
We spent the hot afternoon reading books in the cool shade of the garden arbour.
everydayWe spent the hot afternoon reading books in the cool shade of the garden arbour.
The historic estate features a magnificent rose arbour that has been preserved since the Victorian era.
formalThe historic estate features a magnificent rose arbour that has been preserved since the Victorian era.
Check out that vine-covered arbour in the backyard; it's the perfect spot for a nap.
informalCheck out that vine-covered arbour in the backyard; it's the perfect spot for a nap.
The structural design of the arbour illustrates the integration of organic flora with late 18th-century landscape architecture.
academicThe structural design of the arbour illustrates the integration of organic flora with late 18th-century landscape architecture.
The venue's primary selling point is the secluded arbour, which is marketed as an ideal location for wedding photography.
businessThe venue's primary selling point is the secluded arbour, which is marketed as an ideal location for wedding photography.
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
a leafy arbour
a leafy arbour
natural arbour
natural arbour
nestled in the arbour
nestled in the arbour
Often Confused With
A harbour is a sheltered place for ships on the coast, whereas an arbour is a sheltered place in a garden.
This is simply the American English spelling of the same word.
Usage Notes
The word 'arbour' is frequently used in literary or descriptive writing to evoke a romantic or peaceful atmosphere. In modern daily speech, people might use more specific terms like 'pergola' or 'gazebo', but 'arbour' specifically implies the presence of plants forming a roof.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misspell the word by adding an 'h' (harbour) or forget that it refers specifically to a plant-covered structure rather than just any garden shed.
Memory Tip
Think of 'Arbor Day' (the tree-planting holiday) and imagine a 'Bower' of trees. Arbour = Arbor (trees) + Bower (shelter).
Word Origin
Derived from the Old French 'erbier', meaning a garden of herbs or a grassy spot, from the Latin 'herba'. Over time, the spelling was influenced by the Latin 'arbor' (tree).
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
Arbours are a quintessential element of traditional English cottage gardens and were a popular setting for romantic encounters in 19th-century literature.
Quick Quiz
The couple shared a quiet moment under the ____, surrounded by blooming jasmine and climbing vines.
Correct!
The correct answer is: arbour
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