foyer

noun

foy·​er ˈfȯi(-ə)r  ˈfȯi-ˌ(y)ā 

 also  ˈfwä-ˌyā

: an anteroom or lobby especially of a theater

also : an entrance hallway : vestibule

Synonyms

• hall
• lobby

Examples of foyer in a Sentence

theatergoers crowded the foyer during the play's intermission

leave your muddy boots in the foyer and come into the house

Recent Examples on the Web

The primary suite, directly off the foyer is sunny and big enough for a king-size bed. —Angela Serratore, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2025

There also was a banner unveiled and future Scorpions will be able to see a display in the gym foyer and have someone to serve as a standard for excellence, Jaquez having gone from Camarillo to UCLA to the NBA’s Miami Heat. —Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 15 Jan. 2025

Off the foyer is the cozy living room with one of the home’s many Ernest Batchelder–tiled fireplaces. —Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 12 Jan. 2025

Photo: Russell Pratt Sculptures in the foyer are by Patricia Alliger, who hung one of her paintings on the ceiling. —Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 10 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, fireplace, from Vulgar Latin *focarium, from Latin focus hearth

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

foyer

noun

foy·​er ˈfȯi(-ə)r  ˈfȯi-ˌ(y)ā 

1

: a lobby especially in a theater

2

: an entrance hallway : vestibule