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 of foyer

• 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 foyer, living area, and primary bedroom at one end of the apartment remain largely unchanged, while Ruttenberg added a new central hallway to access the other spaces efficiently. —Alyssa Bird, Architectural Digest, 17 Apr. 2026

In the hospital foyer, the couple paused for selfies and crouched to speak with children in wheelchairs. —Martha Ross, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2026

Their skills shine in the foyer especially, where the floors, walls, coffered ceiling, decorative corbels, and balusters gleam with a gloss finish. —Jennifer Stewart Kornegay, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2026

The spacious primary bedroom can fit a king and comes with one of the apartment’s two closets (the other is just off the foyer) and southeastern exposures that look out on a church and townhouses. —Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 13 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for foyer

• oyer
• destroyer
• employer
• multiemployer

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