B2 verb Neutral

bungalow

/ˈbʌŋ.ɡə.loʊ/

A bungalow is a small house or cottage that is either single-story or has a second story built into a sloping roof. It is characterized by its low-pitched roof and often features a wide front porch or veranda.

Examples

3 of 5
1

The elderly couple decided to sell their large house and move into a smaller bungalow to avoid using stairs.

The older pair chose to leave their big home for a one-story house so they wouldn't need to climb steps.

2

The proposed residential development includes twenty detached bungalows designed for senior living.

The planned housing project features twenty separate single-story homes intended for older residents.

3

We're staying in a cute little bungalow right by the ocean for the weekend.

We are spending the weekend in a charming small cottage located directly on the coast.

Word Family

Noun
bungalow
Adjective
bungaloid
Related
bungalow-tent
💡

Memory Tip

Think of the word as 'Bunga-LOW' because the house is 'low' to the ground with only one level.

Quick Quiz

Since my grandfather has difficulty walking, he decided to move from his three-story apartment to a modern ________.

Correct!

The correct answer is: bungalow

Examples

1

The elderly couple decided to sell their large house and move into a smaller bungalow to avoid using stairs.

everyday

The older pair chose to leave their big home for a one-story house so they wouldn't need to climb steps.

2

The proposed residential development includes twenty detached bungalows designed for senior living.

formal

The planned housing project features twenty separate single-story homes intended for older residents.

3

We're staying in a cute little bungalow right by the ocean for the weekend.

informal

We are spending the weekend in a charming small cottage located directly on the coast.

4

The architectural transition from Victorian terraces to California bungalows reflected changing social attitudes toward domestic space.

academic

The shift in building styles from tall narrow houses to one-story homes showed how views on living space changed.

5

The investment portfolio includes several beachfront bungalows that generate high rental yields during the summer.

business

The list of assets includes many coastal cottages that produce significant rental income in the peak season.

Word Family

Noun
bungalow
Adjective
bungaloid
Related
bungalow-tent

Common Collocations

detached bungalow a single-story house that stands alone and is not joined to another
beachfront bungalow a small house located directly on the beach
retirement bungalow a one-story home specifically designed for older people
semi-detached bungalow a one-story house that is joined to another house on one side
modern bungalow a contemporary single-story house with updated features

Common Phrases

bungalow colony

a cluster of small summer houses often used for vacations

California bungalow

a specific style of 1.5-story house popular in the early 20th century

dormer bungalow

a bungalow with rooms upstairs inside the roof space

Often Confused With

bungalow vs villa

A villa is often larger, more luxurious, and associated with Mediterranean styles, while a bungalow is usually modest and single-story.

bungalow vs cottage

A cottage implies a rustic or old-fashioned rural feel, whereas a bungalow is a specific architectural type often found in suburbs.

📝

Usage Notes

The term is most commonly used in the UK, USA, and India to describe houses without a full second floor. It is frequently associated with retirement living because of the lack of stairs.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse 'bungalow' with any small house; remember that the defining feature is that it is primarily on one level.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the word as 'Bunga-LOW' because the house is 'low' to the ground with only one level.

📖

Word Origin

From the Hindi word 'bangla', which means 'belonging to Bengal', referring to the style of houses built for early European settlers in India.

Grammar Patterns

Countable noun: one bungalow, two bungalows Often used with the preposition 'in': 'He lives in a bungalow.'
🌍

Cultural Context

In the UK and North America, bungalows became a symbol of middle-class suburban expansion in the 1920s.

Quick Quiz

Since my grandfather has difficulty walking, he decided to move from his three-story apartment to a modern ________.

Correct!

The correct answer is: bungalow

Related Words

principled

C2

Acting in accordance with morality and high standards of behavior. It describes a person or an action guided by a strict set of values and integrity rather than by personal gain or convenience.

analytical

C1

Relating to or using analysis or logical reasoning to understand something by breaking it down into its constituent parts. It describes a systematic approach to problem-solving and the ability to evaluate information critically.

approach

C1

A systematic way of dealing with something or a specific perspective taken when addressing a problem or task. It can also refer to the physical act of moving nearer to someone or something in distance or time.

authorize

C1

To grant official permission or legal power to someone to perform a specific action or to allow something to happen. It typically involves a formal process or a person in a position of authority validating a request or procedure.

beneficial

B2

Beneficial describes something that has a good effect or promotes well-being. It is frequently used in formal or academic contexts to highlight the advantages or positive outcomes of a specific action, substance, or situation.

consistent

C2

The quality of achieving a level of performance which does not vary over time, or the state of being coherent and not contradictory in logical or behavioral terms. Physically, it refers to the degree of thickness, firmness, or viscosity found in a substance.

constitutional

C2

Relating to the fundamental principles or established laws that govern a state or organization. It can also refer to an individual's physical health or inherent temperament.

contextual

B2

Relating to the circumstances or setting in which something exists or occurs. It describes information that helps explain the meaning of an event, statement, or idea by looking at its surroundings.

contract

C1

A formal and legally binding agreement between two or more parties that establishes mutual obligations. In academic and legal contexts, it refers to the specific terms, conditions, and enforcement mechanisms that govern a transaction or relationship.

contractor

C1

A person or company that performs work or provides goods and services under a specific legal agreement. Unlike a regular employee, a contractor is usually hired for a specific project or a fixed period of time as an independent entity.

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