DESCRIBING

PLACES
GLOSSARY

SORAYA QUIRINO
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VERBS

to build: to make something by putting bricks or other

materials together.
Example: The purpose is to build new houses for local homeless
people.

to commute: to make the same journey regularly between

work and home.
Example: My father commutes to Manhattan every day.

to flip: to buy a house and then sell it again quickly for a

profit, usually after improving it.
Example: Flipping properties is a tactic that is best suited for
periods when prospects in the stock and bond markets are low.

to knock down: to destroy and remove a building, wall, or

other structure.
Example: The judge decided that the old houses had to be
knocked-down.

to move in: to go to a different place and begin to live or

work there.
Example: When are you moving in?

To list: to put a house for sale.

Example: If you are planning to list your house in the spring, I
would love to assess your home.
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VERBS

to refurbish: to make a place look new again by doing work

such as painting, repairing, and cleaning.
Example: The Grand Hotel has been completely refurbished to
provide more convenience and comfort to guests.

to renovate: to repair and improve a house or apartment.

Example: This was their temporary bedroom while the house
was being renovated.

to rent: to regularly pay money to live in a house or room

that belongs to someone else.
Example: Most students rent rooms in their second year.

to redecorate: to change the appearance of a place to make

it look more attractive by adding furniture, objects and
painting the walls, for example.
Example: I can't afford to redecorate my bedroom now, so I
decided just to paint the walls.

to take out /get a mortgage: to get money to buy a property.

Example: I think they're crazy! They’ve taken out a 30-year
mortgage.
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NOUNS

Different types of places to live

a building complex: a group of (usually) similar buildings

surrounded by fences or walls.

a bungalow: a house that usually has only one story (level)

and has a triangular roof.

a cottage: a small house, usually in the countryside.

a detached house: a house that is not connected and does

not share a wall with another property.

a gated community: a group of houses, surrounded by fences

or walls, that can only be entered by the people who live
there.

a high-rise: a tall modern building with many floors.

a loft: a space above a business, factory etc that was once

used for storing goods, but has been changed into living
space.

a penthouse: an expensive apartment or set of rooms at the

top of a hotel or tall building.
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NOUNS

a semi-detached house (UK)/ townhouse or townhome (US):

a house that is not connected to and shares a wall with
another property.

a studio apartment: an apartment with only one room, a

bathroom, and a kitchen area.

a skyscraper: a very tall modern building, usually in a big

city.

a vacation house: a house that someone lives in during

vacations.

Places in town

outskirts: the areas that form the edge of a town or city.

a residential area: an area where there are only places to

live, no factories or stores.

a slum: an area of a city that is in very bad condition, where

very poor people live.

a suburb: a (usually) privileged area far from the city center

of a large town or city.
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NOUNS

attic: a space or room just below the roof of a house, often

used for storing things.

balcony: an outdoor suspended area in apartments where

people can relax.

basement: a part of a building consisting of rooms that are

partly or completely below the level of the ground.

ceiling: the inner surface of the top part of a room.

chimney: a structure that allows the smoke from a fire

inside a building to escape to the air outside.

driveway: the paved area or between your house and the

street.

dome: a rounded roof on a building or a room, or a building

with such a roof.

entrance: a door, gate, etc. by which you can can enter a

building or place.

fireplace: a space in the wall of a room for a fire to burn in.

gate: the part of a fence or outside wall that you can open
and close so that you can enter or leave a place.
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NOUNS

the ground floor: the floor of a building that is at the same

level as the ground outside.

hardwood flooring: floor that is made from solid wood of

almost any hardwood species or grade.

laundry room: a space where you keep the washer and dryer.

lawn: an area of ground in a garden or park that is covered

with short grass.

mezzanine: a small extra floor between one floor of a

building and the next floor up.

mudroom: a small room or entryway where footwear and

outerwear can be removed before entering a house.

nursery: the baby's bedroom.

patio: an area outside a house with a solid floor but no roof,

used in good weather for relaxing and eating.

porch: a covered structure in front of the entrance to a

building.

public amenities: something, such as a swimming pool,

courts, or shopping centre, that is intended to make life
more pleasant or comfortable.
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ADJECTIVES

airy: with a lot of light and space.

bright: full of light.

cozy: a room or house that is comfortable, pleasant, and

inviting.

cramped: limited in the freedom to move because there is

not enough space.

delightful: very pleasant, attractive, or enjoyable.

duplex: a set of rooms for living in that are on two floors of

a building.

fully-furnished: a rented property with all furniture

included.

haunted: frequented by a ghost.

homely: plain or ordinary, but pleasant.

magnificent: very good, beautiful, or deserving to be

admired.

modest: poor, ordinary and not special.

luxurious: extremely comfortable and expensive.

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ADJECTIVES

pleasant: giving a sense of happy satisfaction or enjoyment.

open-concept: describes the elimination of barriers such as

walls and doors that traditionally separates rooms.

shabby: looking old and in bad condition.

snug: giving feelings of warmth, comfort, and protection.

spacious: large and with a lot of space.

stylish: of a high quality in appearance and design.

welcoming: that makes you feel welcome and comfortable.

well-lit: adequately illuminated by light.