elevator
/ˈel.ɪ.veɪ.tər/ IELTSAcademic
noun
A machine that carries people or things up and down between floors in a building. In British English, this is usually called a lift.
- Take the elevator to the fifth floor.
- The elevator is out of service.
- We rode the elevator to the lobby.
Adinary Nuance
An elevator is the standard American English word. In British English, people usually say lift. Compared with escalator, an elevator moves in a closed box and stops at floors; an escalator is a moving staircase. Compared with staircase, it is for comfort, speed, or access when stairs are difficult.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- thang máy
- Spanish
- ascensor
- Chinese
- 电梯
- Japanese
- エレベーター
- Korean
- 엘리베이터
Etymology
It comes from Latin elevare, meaning “to raise.” English began using it in the 1700s for things that lift upward, then later for the building machine.
Common phrases
take the elevatorelevator shaftelevator buttonelevator doors
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is elevator American or British English?
- It is mainly American English. British English usually uses lift.
- What is the difference between elevator and escalator?
- An elevator moves straight up and down. An escalator is a moving staircase.
- Can I use elevator in formal writing?
- Yes. It is a normal word in business, travel, and everyday writing.