noun

conservatory

kuhn-SUR-vuh-tree

noun

A glass-walled room attached to a house, used for growing plants or as a sitting room.

"They had breakfast in the conservatory overlooking the garden."

A school specialising in music, drama, or another performing art.

"She trained at a prestigious music conservatory in Vienna."

A large greenhouse used to display or grow plants.

"The botanical garden's conservatory houses rare orchids."

How to Use Conservatory

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA glass room for plants, or a specialist school for music or drama.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with "conservatoire," the French-derived term more common in Europe for a music/drama school — both are used, but "conservatory" is more standard in American English.

Word Forms

more conservatory comparative, conservatories plural, conservatories plural, most conservatory superlative

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

They had breakfast in the _____ overlooking the garden.

Etymology

From conserve plus -atory, following the pattern of Latin-derived English words describing a place for preserving or cultivating something.

Rhymes for conservatory

Cory Tory gory dory Rory sory ivory glory story Amory Emory theory

See all rhymes for conservatory →