online vocabulary.com

Courtyard - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

A courtyard is an open space surrounded by buildings or walls, often found in homes, schools, or palaces. It provides light, air, and a place for outdoor activities or relaxation.

courtyard

/ˈkɔrtˌjɑrd/ /ˈkɔːtˌjɑːd/

Definition:

An open space enclosed by walls or buildings, often within a larger structure.

Synonyms:

quadrangle, enclosure, plaza, patio

Part of Speech:

noun

Antonyms:

open field, wilderness

Common Collocations:

courtyard garden, courtyard view, courtyard entrance, courtyard café

Derivatives:

courtyards (plural), courtyarded (adjective)

Usage Tips:

Use "courtyard" to describe an outdoor area surrounded by walls or buildings, common in homes or public spaces.

Common Phrases:

sunlit courtyard, hidden courtyard, central courtyard

Etymology:

From Old French "cort" (court) + "yard," meaning an enclosed space near a building.

Examples:

  • 1. The hotel’s courtyard was filled with blooming flowers.
  • 2. Children played games in the school’s central courtyard.
  • 3. We ate lunch at a café in the quiet courtyard.
  • 4. The mansion had a beautiful stone-paved courtyard.

MORE VOCABULARY LISTS