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hostel

/ˈhɑstl/
/ˈhɒstəl/
IPA guide

Other forms: hostels

If you backpack around Europe and are traveling on a budget, you will probably want to stay in a hostel, an inexpensive lodging made typically for young travelers willing to sleep in dorms.

The word hostel comes from the Latin hospitale meaning "inn, large house." Think of a hostel as an inn for students or young people. Often you can stay in one of these places for relatively little money because multiple beds are in one room and you share the bathroom with other guests. If you want to meet traveling students, you could try opening a youth hostel in your home town.

Definitions of hostel
  1. noun
    a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers
    synonyms: auberge, hostelry, inn, lodge
    see moresee less
    types:
    caravan inn, caravansary, caravanserai, khan
    an inn in some eastern countries with a large courtyard that provides accommodation for caravans
    imaret
    a hostel for pilgrims in Turkey
    post house, posthouse
    an inn for exchanging post horses and accommodating riders
    roadhouse
    an inn (usually outside city limits on a main road) providing meals and liquor and dancing and (sometimes) gambling
    type of:
    hotel
    a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
  2. noun
    inexpensive supervised lodging (especially for youths on bicycling trips)
    see moresee less
    type of:
    housing, living accommodations, lodging
    structures collectively in which people are housed
Pronunciation
US
/ˈhɑstl/
UK
/ˈhɒstəl/
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘hostel'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Commonly confused words

hostile / hostel

Something described as hostile is definitely not friendly, peaceful, or helpful. For instance, in business, a hostile takeover is an aggressive move to seize control of a company against the wishes of its current leadership — not friendly! In contrast, a hostel is an inexpensive lodging facility that welcomes weary travelers, providing a place to rest, refresh, and often socialize in a friendly atmosphere.

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