Book a Room: Meaning, Usage, and Examples

Meaning 1：reserve a room (book a room)

book a room 🔊

/bʊk ə ruːm/

verb phrase

To arrange and pay for a room in a hotel or other place to stay in advance.

Person booking a hotel room on a laptop with calendar dates

reserve a room 🔊

➕

/rɪˈzɜːrv ə ruːm/

verb phrase

To arrange and pay for a room in a hotel or other accommodation in advance, typically through a booking system.

📁 Category：Transportation & Travel 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Combines 'book' (from Old English 'bōc' meaning record) with 'room' (accommodation space).

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine writing your name in a hotel's huge 'book' to claim a room.

📖 Example

I booked a room with a sea view for our family vacation in advance. 🔊 I booked a room with a sea view for our family vacation in advance.

🔗 Collocations

book a room online – to reserve a room through the internet

book a room in advance – to reserve a room before the arrival date

book a double room – to reserve a room with a double bed

🔄 Synonyms

reserve a room (verb phrase) – to secure a room for future use, often with a payment

make a reservation (verb phrase) – to formally arrange a room booking through a system

secure accommodation (verb phrase) – to guarantee lodging for a specific period

🚫 Antonyms

cancel a booking (verb phrase) – to annul a previous reservation

check out (verb phrase) – to leave a hotel and end the stay

🌱 Derivatives

booking (noun) – the act of reserving a room or service

booker (noun) – a person who makes a reservation

bookable (adjective) – able to be reserved in advance

📖 Cultural Story

The use of 'book' for reservations dates back to the 19th century, when innkeepers recorded guest names in large ledgers called 'books'. The phrase 'book a room' became standard in hotel transactions.