booking
The act of reserving a place, service, or event in advance, typically involving the recording of details in a ledger or digital system. It is commonly used when securing travel accommodations, restaurant tables, or professional appointments.
Examples
3 of 5I am booking a table for four at the new Italian restaurant tonight.
I am reserving a table for four at the new Italian restaurant tonight.
The administration is currently booking several international experts for the keynote speeches.
The administration is currently securing several international experts for the keynote speeches.
We're booking a cheap flight to Vegas for my brother's bachelor party.
We're buying tickets for a cheap flight to Vegas for my brother's bachelor party.
Synonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of an old-fashioned hotel clerk writing your name into a physical 'book' to save your room; that 'booking' ensures nobody else takes it.
Quick Quiz
Since the hotel is very popular in the summer, we recommend ___ your room at least three months in advance.
Correct!
The correct answer is: booking
Examples
I am booking a table for four at the new Italian restaurant tonight.
everydayI am reserving a table for four at the new Italian restaurant tonight.
The administration is currently booking several international experts for the keynote speeches.
formalThe administration is currently securing several international experts for the keynote speeches.
We're booking a cheap flight to Vegas for my brother's bachelor party.
informalWe're buying tickets for a cheap flight to Vegas for my brother's bachelor party.
Graduate students are booking time in the laboratory to conduct their final experiments.
academicGraduate students are scheduling time in the laboratory to conduct their final experiments.
The sales team is booking a conference room for the annual performance review.
businessThe sales team is reserving a conference room for the annual performance review.
Synonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
double-booked
having two appointments scheduled at the same time
booking fee
an extra charge added for the service of making a reservation
block booking
reserving a large number of seats or rooms at once
Often Confused With
Booking is often the process or the record itself, while reservation is the act of keeping something aside for someone.
Ordering usually refers to physical goods, whereas booking refers to services, time slots, or spaces.
Usage Notes
While 'booking' can be a noun (a booking), as a verb form it is used transitively. In British English, it can also refer to a police officer officially recording a charge against someone.
Common Mistakes
Learners often say 'make a book' when they mean 'make a booking' or simply 'book a flight'. Avoid using it for physical items you purchase in a shop.
Memory Tip
Think of an old-fashioned hotel clerk writing your name into a physical 'book' to save your room; that 'booking' ensures nobody else takes it.
Word Origin
Derived from the practice of entering names into a 'book' or ledger to record a transaction or an engagement.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In the digital age, 'booking' has shifted from a telephone-based interaction to an app-centric culture (e.g., Booking.com).
Quick Quiz
Since the hotel is very popular in the summer, we recommend ___ your room at least three months in advance.
Correct!
The correct answer is: booking
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
to
A1Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.
and
A1A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.
a
A1A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.
that
A1This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.
I
A1The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.
for
A1Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.
not
A1A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.
with
A1A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.
he
A1A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.
you
A1Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.
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