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attic

noun (1)
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at·​tic | \ ˈa-tik How to pronounce attic (audio) \

Definition of attic

 (Entry 1 of 3)

1 : a low story or wall above the main order of a facade in the classical styles
2 : a room behind an attic
3 : a room or a space immediately below the roof of a building : garret
4 : something resembling an attic (as in being used for storage)

Attic

adjective
At·​tic | \ ˈa-tik How to pronounce Attic (audio) \

Definition of Attic (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : of, relating to, or having the characteristics of Athens or its ancient civilization
2 : marked by simplicity, purity, and refinement an Attic prose style

Attic

noun (2)

Definition of Attic (Entry 3 of 3)

: a dialect of ancient Greek originally used in Attica and later the literary language of the Greek-speaking world
Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about attic

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Synonyms for attic

Synonyms: Noun (1)

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Examples of attic in a Sentence

Noun (1) rented the attic out to a college student
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The fire originated in the attic and was discovered by the homeowners. — Bob Blubaugh, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "Woodbine house fire displaces family of four," 21 Dec. 2020 After locating his vehicle, police found him in an attic at 3486 E. Kiehl Ave. — William Sanders, Arkansas Online, "POLICE BEAT: Woman arrested on multiple counts," 20 Dec. 2020 Clubhouse Games is the equivalent of that old wooden chest, in the attic, that’s filled with dusty, reliable diversions. — Simon Parkin, The New Yorker, "The Best Video Games of 2020," 18 Dec. 2020 More:226 love letters from Kurt Vonnegut were found in an attic. — Hillel Italie, USA TODAY, "Alison Lurie, Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist of 'Foreign Affairs,' dead at 94," 4 Dec. 2020 Love letters from Kurt Vonnegut were found in an attic. — Johnny Magdaleno, The Indianapolis Star, "Indianapolis landlord accused of soliciting sex from furloughed tenant reaches settlement," 1 Dec. 2020 On April 1, 2019, Cantrell and his friend Christopher Wilson went into the attic to jointly play a prank on fellow fraternity members. — Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, "Samford University sues former student over $400,000 fraternity prank," 2 Dec. 2020 If an air handler won’t fit in the ceiling, stuff it in the attic or the basement. — Burkhard Bilger, The New Yorker, "The Art of Building the Impossible," 23 Nov. 2020 Umhoefer said crews had to pull drywall to prevent the fire from spreading into the attic. — Evan Frank, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Apartment tenants had to evacuate during a fire at the Menomonee Falls complex, but were later able to return to their units," 12 Nov. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'attic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of attic

Noun (1)

circa 1696, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1653, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for attic

Noun (1)

French attique, from attique of Attica, from Latin Atticus

Adjective

Latin Atticus of Attica, from Greek Attikos, from Attikē Attica, Greece

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Time Traveler for attic

Time Traveler

The first known use of attic was in 1577

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Statistics for attic

Last Updated

6 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Attic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attic. Accessed 24 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for attic

attic

noun
How to pronounce Attic (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of attic

: a room or space that is just below the roof of a building and that is often used to store things

See the full definition for attic in the English Language Learners Dictionary

attic

noun
at·​tic | \ ˈa-tik How to pronounce attic (audio) \

Kids Definition of attic

: a room or a space just under the roof of a building

attic

noun
at·​tic | \ ˈat-ik How to pronounce attic (audio) \

Medical Definition of attic

: the small upper space of the middle ear

— called also epitympanic recess

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More from Merriam-Webster on attic

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for attic

Nglish: Translation of attic for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of attic for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about attic

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