balcony
balcony
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "balcony" is /ˈbæl.kə.ni/.
bal - /bæl/
co - /kə/
ny - /ni/
Word Form Variations
Singular: balcony
Plural: balconies
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
An elevated platform projecting from the wall of a building, typically with a railing or balustrade, accessible from an upper floor and often used for outdoor enjoyment, viewing, or as an architectural feature.
Synonyms: veranda, terrace, patio, loggia, gallery, deck
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, as it describes a specific architectural feature. One could consider "interior" as a very broad conceptual opposite in terms of being inside vs. outside.)
A raised, tiered seating area in a theater, hall, or stadium, located above the main floor, providing a higher vantage point for spectators.
Synonyms: gallery, upper circle, dress circle, mezzanine
Antonyms: orchestra, main floor, stalls
Examples of Use
Books: "Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name; Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, And I'll no longer be a Capulet." Juliet spoke these famous lines from her balcony to Romeo below. (William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, published c. 1597)
Newspapers: "The article highlighted the dramatic rescue of a cat stranded on a sixth-floor balcony during the apartment fire, drawing praise for the quick actions of firefighters." (The New York Times)
Online Publications: "Our latest travel guide features stunning photos of Parisian apartments, many of them boasting charming wrought-iron balconies perfect for a morning coffee." (Lonely Planet online)
Television/Film: In the final scene of the classic film, the protagonist gazes out from a grand hotel balcony overlooking the bustling city as credits roll. (Vertigo, 1958)
Music: The lyrics "Meet me on the balcony, darling, beneath the stars so bright" from the popular love song evoke a romantic setting. ("Balcony" by The Cat Empire, released 2003)
General Public Discourse: "We're thinking of adding a small balcony off the master bedroom; it would be lovely to have some outdoor space." (Spoken conversation)
Architecture/Real Estate Listings: "This luxury condo unit features a spacious private balcony with panoramic city views, ideal for entertaining." (Online real estate listing)
News Broadcast (Sports): "The victorious team, holding the championship trophy aloft, appeared on the balcony of the city hall to greet their adoring fans below." (ESPN news broadcast)
10 Quotes Using Balcony
"What light through yonder window breaks? It is the East, and Juliet is the sun! Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon, Who is already sick and pale with grief, That thou her maid art far more fair than she... The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars, As daylight doth a lamp; her eyes in heaven Would through the airy region stream so bright That birds would sing and think it were not night." (William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet)
"The first thing I did when I came to this country was to sit on a balcony in Miami Beach and watch the sunset. It was a very emotional moment for me." (Gloria Estefan)
"I love the idea of a little balcony or a terrace. I love things that are outside." (Gwyneth Paltrow)
"I always wanted to have a house with a huge balcony that looked out onto the ocean." (Orlando Bloom)
"On the balcony of a luxury hotel, a man in a white dinner jacket raises a glass of champagne to a woman in a black gown." (Description of a scene from Casablanca, 1942)
"From my balcony, I can see the whole city, a sprawling tapestry of lights and shadows." (Original Quote)
"She stood on the balcony, a silhouette against the setting sun, lost in thought." (Original Quote)
"He stepped out onto the balcony, taking a deep breath of the cool night air." (Original Quote)
"The apartment boasted a small, charming balcony perfect for morning coffee." (Original Quote)
"We watched the parade from our vantage point on the hotel balcony." (Original Quote)
Etymology
The word "balcony" has a pretty interesting journey through languages!
It comes to us from the Italian word "balcone".
Now, "balcone" itself likely came from an older Germanic word, something like "*balko-" or "*balkon-", which meant "beam" or "scaffold." Imagine a sturdy wooden beam sticking out from a building, used as a support or a simple platform – that's the core idea.
So, the original meaning of "balcony" was closely tied to this idea of a projecting beam or scaffold.
The first known use of "balcony" in English is generally traced back to the early 1600s, around 1618. At this time, it referred to "a platform projecting from the wall of a building surrounded by a wall or railing." Later, in the early 1700s, its meaning expanded to include the raised seating area in a theater.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Balcony
"Balcony scene": Referring specifically to the famous scene in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, often used to describe a romantic or dramatic encounter between two people in a similar setting.
"To hold a balcony review": To appear on a balcony to acknowledge a crowd, often by a prominent figure or royalty.
"Balcony view": A vantage point offering a wide or elevated perspective.
"From the cheap seats (or balcony)": Implies an outsider's or less privileged perspective, often used critically or humorously.
"Balcony brigade": A somewhat informal or humorous term for people who watch events from a high, removed position, often implying they are passive observers.
"On the veranda of life": (Using synonym "veranda" for similar effect) Implies being an observer rather than an active participant, often with a sense of peaceful detachment.
"Terrace talk": (Using synonym "terrace" for similar effect) Informal conversation, often held outdoors on a patio or similar space.
"To be on the high deck": (Using synonym "deck" for similar effect) Suggests being in a privileged or superior position.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of balcony from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
