Hostel Definition: Budget Accommodation for Travelers

Meaning 1：budget accommodation (hostel)

hostel 🔊

/ˈhɒstəl/

A cheap place for travelers to stay, especially young people, often with shared bedrooms.

Hostel dormitory with bunk beds and backpacks in sunny room

budget accommodation 🔊

➕

/ˈbʌdʒɪt əˌkɒməˈdeɪʃən/

A hostel is a low-cost lodging facility that typically offers shared dormitory-style rooms and common areas, making it popular among backpackers and budget-conscious travelers.

📁 Category：Buildings & Places 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old French 'ostel', from Latin 'hospes' (guest).

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'host' + 'el': a host welcomes guests; in a hostel, you share space.

📖 Example

When I traveled across Europe on a tight budget, I met many interesting people at the hostel where I stayed. 🔊 When I traveled across Europe on a tight budget, I met many interesting people at the hostel where I stayed.

🔗 Collocations

youth hostel – a hostel specifically for young travelers

backpacker hostel – a hostel that caters to backpackers

hostel accommodation – the type of lodging provided by a hostel

🔄 Synonyms

inn (n.) – a lodging place, often with private rooms, but can sometimes offer budget rates

budget hotel (n.) – a hotel offering inexpensive rooms

lodging house (n.) – a house where rooms are rented out, typically at low cost

🚫 Antonyms

luxury hotel (n.) – a high-end hotel with premium services and amenities

five-star resort (n.) – a resort with the highest rating, offering lavish accommodations

🌱 Derivatives

hosteler (n.) – a person who stays in hostels

hostelling (n.) – the activity or practice of staying in hostels

📖 Cultural Story

Originating from the Latin 'hospes', meaning guest or host, the word evolved through Old French 'ostel' to 'hostel'. In modern times, hostels became popular among budget travelers, especially in Europe.