Word: Mews
Definition: The word "mews" refers to a street or a group of buildings that used to be private stables for horses but have been changed into homes or apartments. These places are often found in cities and have a charming and cozy feel.
Usage: - "Mews" is a noun, so it is used to name a specific type of place. - When talking about a particular mews, you can say "the mews" or "a mews," depending on whether you are referring to a specific one or any mews in general.
Example Sentence: - "She lives in a lovely mews in Chelsea, where the old stables have been turned into beautiful homes."
Advanced Usage: In more advanced contexts, you might encounter phrases like "mews house," which refers to a specific type of home located in a mews.
Different Meanings: - Historically, "mews" can also refer to a type of bird, specifically a kind of hawk or falcon, but this usage is less common in modern English.
Word Variants: - The word "mew" is a verb that means to confine or shut up, often used in the context of animals. However, this is not related to the noun "mews."
Synonyms: - There are not many direct synonyms for "mews" when referring to its architectural meaning, but similar terms include: - "Lane" - "Alley" - "Court" (in some contexts)
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs: - There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs that use "mews." However, you could use "live in a mews" in a descriptive context to convey a lifestyle or living situation.