Fireplace: Meaning, Types, and Usage

Meaning 1：fireplace (Fireplace)

Fireplace 🔊

/ˈfaɪərpleɪs/

A structure in a house where you can light a fire to keep warm, usually found in the living room.

fireplace 🔊

➕

/ˈfaɪərpleɪs/

A permanent structure in a house designed to contain a fire for heating and ambiance, typically built into a wall with a chimney.

📁 Category：Buildings & Places 🔖 Level：Elementary

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Compound word: 'fire' (combustion) + 'place' (location); literally a place for a fire.

💡 Mnemonic

Picture a fire burning inside a special wall niche—‘fire’ + ‘place’ = fireplace.

📖 Example

On a chilly evening, nothing beats gathering around the fireplace with hot cocoa and good stories. 🔊 On a chilly evening, nothing beats gathering around the fireplace with hot cocoa and good stories.

🔗 Collocations

stone fireplace – A fireplace made of stone materials.

gas fireplace – A fireplace that burns natural gas instead of wood.

fireplace mantle – The shelf or ledge above a fireplace.

🔄 Synonyms

hearth (n.) – The floor or area in front of a fireplace, often used to refer to the fireplace itself.

firepit (n.) – An outdoor pit for a fire, similar in function but usually not enclosed.

inglenook (n.) – A cozy corner or nook built around a fireplace.

🚫 Antonyms

air conditioner (n.) – A device that cools indoor air, opposite to a heating source.

📖 Cultural Story

Fireplaces have been central to home life since medieval times, serving as the primary heat source and social gathering spot in Western homes.