foyer

noun

foy·​er ˈfȯi(-ə)r How to pronounce foyer (audio) ˈfȯi-ˌ(y)ā How to pronounce foyer (audio)
 also  ˈfwä-ˌyā
: an anteroom or lobby especially of a theater
also : an entrance hallway : vestibule

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Each is approximately 9 feet by 6 ½ feet each, and were painted directly on the foyer's plaster walls. Erin Couch, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 Just inside, a thurible, or incense lantern, hangs in the foyer. Lennie Omalza, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025 The bedrooms are nicely sized and come with a walk-in closet each, in addition to a second, smaller storage space in the primary bedroom (and there are dual closets in the vestibule separating the bedrooms and another in the foyer). Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 1 July 2025 Elsewhere in the home is a dramatic entry foyer, a spacious dining room that can seat 12 and a chef’s kitchen. Colson Thayer, People.com, 1 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for foyer

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of foyer was in 1833

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Foyer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foyer. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

foyer

noun
1
: a lobby especially in a theater
2
: an entrance hallway : vestibule

More from Merriam-Webster on foyer

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!