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Essential Vocabulary for the GRE - Build Castles in the Air!

Here you will learn some English words about architecture, such as "bungalow", "archway", "fixture", etc. that are needed for the GRE exam.

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Essential Words Needed for the GRE
amphitheater

an open building that is round or oval in shape and has a space in the middle surrounded by several seats, originated in ancient Roman and Greek architecture used for public entertainments such as sports or drama

Ex: Tourists marveled at the ruins of the ancient Greek amphitheater. 
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auditorium

a large building or hall where people are gathered to attend a concert, public speech, play, etc.

Ex: The concert was held in the grand auditorium downtown. 
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refinery
refinery
[noun]

a factory in which a natural substance such as oil or sugar is made pure by removing all other substances from it

Ex: The oil refinery processes crude oil into gasoline and diesel. 
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belvedere
belvedere
[noun]

a small structure, gallery, or summerhouse that usually has an open side and provides an excellent view

Ex: From the belvedere on the hill, they could see the entire valley spread out below them in breathtaking detail. 
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cabana
cabana
[noun]

a hut, shelter, or cabin, usually at a swimming pool or beach

Ex: The resort's cabanas lined the poolside, offering guests a private retreat to relax in the shade. 
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condominium

a building or a group of buildings in which individual units are owned privately, while common areas and facilities such as hallways, elevators, etc. are owned and managed by all residents

Ex: She bought a condominium in the downtown area for its convenient location and amenities. 
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crematorium

a building for burning the dead bodies of people, often as a funeral ceremony

Ex: The crematorium offers various memorial services to honor the deceased. 
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planetarium

a building with a dome in which moving images of planets, starts, and constellations are projected for educational or entertainment purposes

Ex: The school field trip included a visit to the planetarium to learn about the solar system. 
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brownstone

a house, particularly found in New York City, that is built of, or with a front made of, a type of reddish-brown sandstone

Ex: They recently purchased a charming brownstone in Brooklyn. 
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duplex
duplex
[noun]

an apartment with two floors each with its own rooms connected by an internal staircase

Ex: The lower unit of the duplex has a spacious living room and kitchen, while the upper unit has bedrooms and a study. 
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bungalow
bungalow
[noun]

a one-story construction without stairs, usually with a low roof

Ex: The bungalow had a spacious backyard, perfect for hosting summer barbecues. 
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conservatory

a school or college that people attend to for studying music, theater, or some other form of art

Ex: The renowned conservatory offered intensive training programs in classical music, dance, and theater, attracting talented students from around the world. 
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lodging
lodging
[noun]

a place that provides travelers with temporary accommodation

Ex: We found a cozy lodging in the mountains for our weekend getaway. 
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annex
annex
[noun]

a building later added to a main building in order to provide more space

Ex: The school built an annex to accommodate the growing number of students. 
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baseboard
baseboard
[noun]

a long and narrow piece of wood attached to the bottom of the walls of a house

Ex: The carpenter installed a new baseboard to give the room a finished look. 
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archway
archway
[noun]

a passage or entrance beneath an arch

Ex: The couple walked hand in hand through the ancient stone archway. 
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chalet
chalet
[noun]

a wooden house with a steep sloping roof, often found in mountainous areas in Switzerland

Ex: The family rented a cozy chalet in the Swiss Alps for their winter vacation. 
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cornice
cornice
[noun]

an ornamental border made of plaster or wood, often used around the top of a wall where it meets the ceiling

Ex: The living room was beautifully decorated with an elegant cornice along the ceiling. 
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en suite
en suite
[noun]

a bathroom that is directly connected to a bedroom

Ex: The hotel room featured an en suite with modern fixtures and a walk-in shower. 
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facade
facade
[noun]

the front of a building, particularly one that is large and has an elegant appearance

Ex: The facade of the historic building was adorned with intricate carvings and ornate details, showcasing the craftsmanship of its era. 
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fixture
fixture
[noun]

a piece of equipment such as a bath that is permanently affixed inside a house or building and people cannot take it out when they move out

Ex: The bathroom’s new sink is a fixture that won't be removed when we move. 
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foyer
foyer
[noun]

a small area inside the entrance of a private apartment or house, where people walk in immediately after they enter

Ex: The foyer of the house was decorated with a large mirror and a console table. 
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to furnish

to equip a room, house, etc. with furniture

Ex: They decided to furnish the living room with a comfortable sofa, coffee table, and stylish chairs. 
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igloo
igloo
[noun]

a house or shelter in the shape of a dome that is built from blocks of ice or hard snow

Ex: In the Arctic, indigenous people have been building traditional igloos for generations to withstand harsh winter conditions. 
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lavatory
lavatory
[noun]

a room that has one or more toilets

Ex: The airport lavatory was clean and well-stocked with supplies. 
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mezzanine
mezzanine
[noun]

the first floor above the ground floor in a theater where there are seats for the audience

Ex: The mezzanine was filled with enthusiastic theatergoers for the opening night. 
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molding
molding
[noun]

a narrow piece of plaster, wood, or other material, used as decoration along the top of a wall, around a door, etc.

Ex: The elegant crown molding added a touch of sophistication to the room. 
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pantry
pantry
[noun]

a cupboard or small room, often next to kitchen, used for keeping food in

Ex: She stocked the pantry with canned goods and dried pasta. 
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porch
porch
[noun]

a structure with a roof and no walls at the entrance of a house

Ex: We sat on the porch swing and watched the sunset. 
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veranda
veranda
[noun]

a roofed area with an open front at the ground level, which is attached to the side of a house

Ex: The colonial-style house had a wide, wraparound veranda where residents could relax and enjoy the breeze. 
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decor
decor
[noun]

the way a room or building's interior is decorated

Ex: The restaurant's vintage decor created a cozy and nostalgic atmosphere. 
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adjacent
adjacent
[Adjective]

situated next to or near something

Ex: The bookstore is located in the shopping mall adjacent to the coffee shop. 
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atrium
atrium
[noun]

a large area typically with glass walls or roof in the middle of a building such a shopping center

Ex: The grand atrium of the hotel featured a soaring glass ceiling, allowing natural light to flood the space and creating a sense of openness. 
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bunker
bunker
[noun]

a shelter equipped with strong walls, often built underground, to protect soldiers or guns

Ex: The soldiers took cover in the bunker during the intense bombardment. 
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colonnade
colonnade
[noun]

a row of columns having equal distance from each other, often supporting a roof or arch

Ex: The grand entrance to the museum featured a stunning colonnade. 
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dilapidated
dilapidated
[Adjective]

damaged or deteriorated over time, often due to neglect or insufficient maintenance

Ex: They explored the dilapidated mansion, imagining its former glory. 
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to erect
to erect
[Verb]

to build or assemble a structure or object in an upright position

Ex: The construction crew worked diligently to erect a new office building in the city center. 
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high-rise
high-rise
[Adjective]

(of buildings) having many floors

Ex: They moved into a high-rise apartment with a stunning view of the city. 
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insulation

the materials that are used to cover something in order not to let heat, electricity, or sound to enter or escape through it

Ex: The house's attic was fitted with extra insulation to keep it warm in winter. 
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deck
deck
[noun]

a platform or floor that has a design that looks like a ship's deck

Ex: The restaurant's outdoor seating area featured a spacious wooden deck with ocean views. 
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