Word forms: plural parloursregional note: in AM, use parlor
1. countable noun
A parlour is a room in a house for sitting in.
[old-fashioned]
2. countable noun [noun NOUN]
Parlour is used in the names of some types of shops which provide a service, rather than selling things.
...a funeral parlour.
...a notorious massage parlour.
Synonyms: establishment, shop, store, salon More Synonyms of parlour
More Synonyms of parlour
parlour in British English
or US parlor (ˈpɑːlə)
noun
1. old-fashioned
a living room, esp one kept tidy for the reception of visitors
2.
a reception room in a priest's house, convent, etc
3.
a small room for guests away from the public rooms in an inn, club, etc
4. mainly US, Canadian and New Zealand
a room or shop equipped as a place of business
a billiard parlor
5. Caribbean
a small shop, esp one selling cakes and nonalcoholic drinks
6. Also called: milking parlour
a building equipped for the milking of cows
Word origin
C13: from Anglo-Norman parlur, from Old French parleur room in convent for receiving guests, from parler to speak; see parley
Examples of 'parlour' in a sentence
parlour
Can such parlour games be of any use?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The woman from the massage parlour is a challenge to you.
The Sun (2016)
The main room resembled the parlour of a modest house rather than a restaurant.
The Times Literary Supplement (2014)
Can he tell you what draws him to these clubs and massage parlours?
The Sun (2006)
Only the funeral parlours will do well out of this for years to come.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Was this just a parlour game used by lecturers to involve the class?
Christopher Ross TUNNEL VISIONS: Journeys of an Underground Philosopher (2001)
Funeral parlours should be licensed and an independent regulatory body appointed.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
That was how they wanted me to dress because it was a daytime parlour game.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Does anyone really not know what goes on in the massage parlours?
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
This is a popular parlour game.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It includes houses with a parlour room - a dining room.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Two problems interfere: insufficient variety and the funeral parlour acoustic.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
He worked for a while in a funeral parlour, and then on a cattle ranch.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
There is a hoary parlour game in which participants are challenged to name ten famous Belgians.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It has an in-house tattoo parlour and cycle shop where all the bikes are made from recycled parts.
The Sun (2015)
With the guilty discretion of a massage parlour, the gym hides itself above a parade of shops.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Although the small massage parlour she ran from her home was not yet open, she headed downstairs in her dressing gown.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
I found myself in a small, sunlit parlour with bright floral curtains.
Ben Nimmo IN FORKBEARD'S WAKE: Coasting Round Scandinavia (2003)
Who, nowadays, calls one of their rooms a parlour?
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
There are five reception rooms, a parlour, pantry and china store room.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
All related terms of 'parlour'
beer parlour
a room in a tavern , hotel , etc in which beer is served
parlour game
A parlour game is a game that is played indoors by families or at parties , for example a guessing game.
pizza parlour
a place where pizzas are made, sold, or eaten
beauty parlour
A beauty parlour is a place where people can go to have beauty treatments , for example to have their hair, nails or make-up done.
funeral parlour
A funeral parlour is a place where a funeral director works and where dead people are prepared for burial or cremation.
massage parlour
A massage parlour is a place where people go and pay for a massage. Some places that are called massage parlours are in fact places where people pay to have sex .
milking parlour
a living room, esp one kept tidy for the reception of visitors