Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[imchongjun]

Hi, teachers.
I am trying to understand the difference among "den", "cabinet" and "living-room", but am a little confused. Are these words used interchangeably sometimes?

[Katherine Spiegel]

Quoting English Oxford dictionary:

a den:

- the hidden home of some types of wild animal
- (disapproving) a place where people meet in secret, especially for some illegal or immoral activity
- a room in a house where people go to relax, watch television, etc
- (old-fashioned) a room in a house where a person can work or study without being disturbed
- a secret enclosed place where children play

a cabinet:

- a group of the most important government ministers or advisers to a president, responsible for advising and deciding on government policy
- a piece of furniture with doors, drawers and/or shelves, that is used for storing or showing things

a living room:

- a room in a house where people sit together, watch television, etc

I would say that 'living room' and 'den' could be used in the same context. I wouldn't rather mix 'cabinet' with these two words.
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