ground floor
25
1.0
- noun
- /ɡraʊnd flɔr/
:
planta baja
- Much of the ground floor was taken up by the garage, which was empty.
But already when we were on the ground floor and I looked up after the big explosion, the initiation for the assault to go in.
- But already when we were on the ground floor and I looked up after the big explosion, the initiation for the assault to go in.
Examples
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That thing's on the ground floor.
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Dan, you and Chloe cover the ground floor.
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You check the ground floor.
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And I got my own little room there, on the ground floor.
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We will prepare a room on the ground floor.
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You and I had better check the ground floor and see what's going on.
Fiction book (1992) -
There were two sets: one on the ground floor, the other in a locked basement area.
Fiction book (1991) -
The sign is over a ground floor office; an exterior clock shows 9:00.
Fiction book (1994) -
Retail establishments, primarily for tourists, occupy the ground floor of the residential buildings on the left.
Academic text (1994) -
You can find the reception desk on the ground floor next to the elevators.
Synonyms
65
1.1
The floor at ground level in American English and the floor above the ground floor in British English
21
2.4
The height of the ground outside or the floor at that height
7
3.0
On the lowest level of a building that is level with the outside ground
How High
Surface Forms
Morphology
The literal senses of 'ground' (base/earth) and 'floor' (building level) produce a clear image of the lowest or base level, so a learner can reasonably infer a sense of 'starting point' or initial stage from the parts. However, the commercial nuance that being on the 'ground floor' confers an advantage is a metaphorical extension that may not be entirely predictable to a B1 learner without exposure.
Etymology
Ground floor comes from the simple image of a floor that sits on the ground, right at street level where you walk in without climbing stairs. That's why it means 'the floor nearest the ground'.