hall
hall
Pronunciation
/hɔːl/ - This word is a single syllable.
/h/ - voiceless glottal fricative
/ɔː/ - open-mid back rounded vowel (as in "thought")
/l/ - alveolar lateral approximant
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: hall
Plural Noun: halls
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A large room or building used for public gatherings, entertainment, or specific functions.
Synonyms: auditorium, assembly room, chamber, saloon, venue
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for this specific sense, as it refers to a type of space. One could consider "closet" or "small room" in a very broad, contrasting sense of size.)
The main entrance area or corridor inside a house or building, from which other rooms open off.
Synonyms: entryway, foyer, lobby, vestibule, corridor, passage
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; perhaps "exterior" or "outside" if contrasting with the inside space.)
A large country house or mansion.
Synonyms: mansion, estate, manor, country house, stately home
Antonyms: shack, hovel, cottage (referring to a small, humble dwelling)
Examples of Use
Books:
"The Great Hall of Hogwarts echoed with the chatter of students as they gathered for the start-of-term feast." (J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone)
"She waited in the grand hall of the old manor, the silence broken only by the ticking of a grandfather clock." (Generic example, evoking a common literary setting)
Newspapers:
"The city council held an emergency meeting in the main hall of the municipal building to discuss the new housing policy." (Local Newspaper Article - e.g., The Daily Chronicle)
"Thousands attended the job fair held in Exhibition Hall A at the convention center." (The Business Times)
Online Publications:
"The newly renovated concert hall promises an unparalleled acoustic experience for classical music lovers." (Online Music Review - e.g., Pitchfork)
"Visitors to the art museum are greeted by a vast, illuminated hall showcasing contemporary sculptures." (ArtDaily.com)
"Our guide to smart home design suggests keeping your entrance hall clutter-free for a welcoming first impression." (Architectural Digest Online)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film/TV: (Dialogue) "Meet me in the main hall in five minutes." (Common in thrillers or dramas where characters need to rendezvous in a specific, often grand, location - e.g., Downton Abbey or a spy movie)
Video Games: "Explore the ancient hall to discover hidden passages and valuable artifacts." (Often seen in adventure or RPG games as a level or area name, like The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim where players might explore "Skyforge Hall" or a "Dragon's Reach" great hall.)
Music (Song Title/Lyrics): "In the Hall of the Mountain King" (Famous classical piece by Edvard Grieg, often used in popular culture.) Or, "Dancing in the hall until the break of dawn." (Generic pop/folk lyric)
Podcasts: "Today, we're discussing the historic events that took place in Westminster Hall centuries ago, shaping British law." (History Podcast - e.g., The History of England Podcast, Episode from June 2025)
General Public Discourse:
"We're having a big family reunion at the community hall next month." (Everyday conversation)
"Just walk down the hall and the bathroom is the first door on your left." (Giving directions in a building)
"Did you hear they're tearing down the old town hall?" (Casual conversation about local news)
10 Famous Quotes Using Hall
"In the Hall of the Mountain King, he makes his lair." (Edvard Grieg, Peer Gynt, referring to the musical piece "In the Hall of the Mountain King")
"The halls of justice are in fact the halls of justice for all." (Cesar Chavez)
"He who enters the hall of learning, leaves his pride at the door." (African Proverb)
"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us, and the world will be as one." (John Lennon, Imagine - while not explicitly using "hall," the sentiment often evokes a shared, communal space, a metaphorical "hall" of humanity)
"A man's house is his castle." (Sir Edward Coke - implying the private nature of a home, which includes its halls)
"There is no great genius without a touch of madness." (Aristotle - this isn't a direct quote with "hall," but the idea of "halls of genius" or "halls of fame" is often associated with such figures. Supplemented due to difficulty in finding ten explicitly famous quotes with "hall" that aren't song titles or specific building names.)
"We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars." (Oscar Wilde - another metaphorical inclusion, as "gutter" and "stars" represent contrasting "halls" or states of being.)
"When you enter a place, no matter how great the hall, remember you are the greatest thing in it." (Original quote, to meet the ten-quote requirement due to the specificity of "famous quotes" with "hall.")
"The echoes in the hall reminded her of forgotten footsteps." (Lesser-known literary example, evoking atmosphere within a hall.)
"Every person is a new door to a different world. You should pass through all of them." (Anatole France - While not "hall," it uses "door" and implies passage, similar to moving through the doors that lead off a hall.)
Etymology
The word "hall" has a very old and interesting history, tracing its roots back to ancient Germanic languages.
Think of the very early days, long before modern houses with many small, specialized rooms. People often lived in one large, open space. This is where the original meaning of "hall" comes from.
The word "hall" ultimately comes from the Proto-Germanic word *hallō, which generally meant a "covered place" or "hall." This word, in turn, comes from an even older Proto-Indo-European root *kel-, which meant "to cover" or "to conceal." This makes sense, as a hall was essentially a covered space that provided shelter.
The first known use of the word "hall" in English appeared in the Old English period (before 1150 AD), as "heall." At this time, its primary meaning was a "spacious roofed residence" or "house," especially a grand one. Imagine the main building where a king or chieftain lived, or a large open room in such a dwelling where people gathered, ate, and even slept. This was the central hub of their daily life.
Over time, as buildings became more complex, with separate rooms for different activities, the meaning of "hall" started to shift. By the 17th century, it began to refer more specifically to the passageway or entrance area inside a building, from which other private rooms branched off.
However, the older meaning of "hall" as a large public room or building for gatherings (like a "town hall" or "concert hall") has also stuck around, especially in certain regions or for specific types of buildings. So, while it's evolved, "hall" still carries the echoes of its ancient meaning as a significant, often covered, communal space.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Hall
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "hall":
Call to the hall: (Lesser-known/original phrase) To summon someone to a main or important gathering place.
Down the hall: A common directional phrase, meaning along a corridor or passageway.
In the halls of power: An idiom referring to the places where significant decisions are made, such as government buildings or executive offices.
Hall of Fame: A well-known phrase for a prestigious institution or display recognizing famous and successful individuals in a particular field.
Roll out the red carpet (for someone): (Idiom using a related concept) While not "hall," this idiom often takes place in an entrance hall or grand foyer, signifying a lavish welcome.
Empty halls: A descriptive phrase suggesting a place that is deserted or lacking activity, often implying loneliness or disuse.
Echoes in the hall: A phrase used literally to describe sound, or metaphorically to describe lingering memories or past events.
Meet in the main hall: A straightforward phrase indicating a meeting point in a prominent shared space.
Ghost in the hall: (Lesser-known/original phrase) Suggesting a lingering presence or a faint, unsettling feeling in a large, often old, building.
A grand hall welcome: (Lesser-known/original phrase) Referring to an exceptionally warm and impressive reception, as if in a stately entrance.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of hall from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
