rec room

en
en
Change language
Translating...
Find language
Français
French
Español
Spanish
Deutsch
German
Português
Portuguese
Русский
Russian
/ˈrɛk ruːm/
Add to My Dictionary
In My Dictionary
+1
An informal recreation room used for games, hobbies, relaxing, or social time in a home or shared building.

Examples

  • The basement rec room has a pool table and a worn sofa.
  • The apartment complex added a rec room beside the laundry area.
  • Students meet in the rec room between classes.
  • The hospital opened a bright rec room for patients and visitors.
  • Rain kept everyone indoors, so the party moved to the rec room.

Similar words

game room
recreation room
games room
playroom
activity room
rumpus room

Meanings

Usage

Use rec room for a casual leisure space, and use recreation room when a more formal term fits better.

Common mistakes

I rec room tonight is wrong because the phrase names a place, not an action.

Etymology

Shortened from recreation room, with rec as a clipped form of recreation. Dictionary.com records rec room from 1960-65, while Merriam-Webster records recreation room from 1832.

FAQ

What does rec room mean?

Rec room means recreation room, an informal space for games, hobbies, relaxing, or social time.

Is rec room informal?

Yes. Rec room is an informal shortening of recreation room.

Where is a rec room usually found?

A rec room is often found in a basement, school, dorm, hospital, apartment building, or community center.

Is a rec room the same as a gym?

No. A gym is mainly for exercise, while a rec room is for casual recreation and social use.

Can rec room be used as a verb?

No. Rec room is a noun phrase, so say go to the rec room or use the rec room.

What is the plural of rec room?

The plural is rec rooms when more than one recreation room is meant.

Is rec room the same as game room?

Game room is a close synonym, but rec room can also include relaxing, crafts, media, and general social space.

Does rec room mean Rec Room the game?

No. Lowercase rec room means a recreation room. Rec Room with capital letters is a proper name.

Can rec room appear in formal writing?

It can appear in descriptions of homes or facilities, but recreation room is more formal.

Why is it called a rec room?

Rec is a clipped form of recreation, so rec room is a shortened form of recreation room.

Comments & contributions

Know this word from another angle? Add a correction, a nuance, or a usage note. New posts go public after a quick review.
Posting as a guest · Sign in
No comments yet. Be the first to add one.
Look up word or phrase...