garage - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
garage Word Meanings
- a shelter for a motor vehicle
- a place of business for repairing vehicles
garage Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
garage Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈɡær.ɑːʒ/
US
/ɡəˈrɑːʒ/
garage Word Etymology
gar- (to shelter) + age (related to) → French → from 'garer' (to shelter) → 'garage' in English; imagine a car being safely tucked away in a cozy and protective shelter.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I grab the door handle, turn and push the heavy garage door up. I steer the car inside, move a few inches, shift to park, and place it where the light hits the hood. I pause, adjust the mirrors, and keep the engine quiet as I plan the next step. In this small space the word feels real—a place to care for machines and do the day's work.
Real Context
Garage is a versatile noun in English, referring to a shelter for a motor vehicle, typically a space attached to a house or a separate building on a property, where cars, motorcycles, or bicycles are kept secure. It can also mean a place of business for repairing vehicles, a workshop, or a service facility that performs maintenance, repairs, and sometimes modifications. In everyday speech, you will hear phrases like garage door, garage sale, or park the car in the garage; in business contexts, terms such as auto repair garage, service garage, or a family-owned garage are common. Understanding both senses helps avoid confusion when reading signs, house listings, or advertisements where the word 'garage' appears.
Usage Reminders
- - Use garage for a sheltered place to park a vehicle or for a repair shop sense.
- - Common phrases include garage door, garage sale, and in the garage.
- - Distinguish home garage from a professional repair garage.
- - When the context is business, expect repair services to be described as a garage.
- - Do not assume garage means a carport in every country; check local usage.
Common Misconceptions
- A garage is only for cars; bikes and scooters can be kept there too.
- All garages are attached to a house.
- Garage always means a repair shop, not a parking space.
- Garage sale always involves selling the car.
- A garage is always a permanent structure.
Thinking Differences
English speakers tend to map garage to both a physical space for parking and a business site for repair. Learners often assume garage only means a home space or a workshop, so contexts like a sign or ad can mislead. Pay attention to collocations and prepositions to pick the right meaning.
Learning Tips
- Create two mental images for garage: the parking space and the repair shop.
- Practice common collocations like garage door and garage sale.
- Differentiate prepositions when using in the garage versus at the garage.
- Read real signs and ads to see which sense is meant.
- Compare with related terms like carport and workshop.
- Use two example sentences per sense to fix memory.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of the word 'garage'?
A.A building for housing cars
B.A type of clothing
C.A type of fruit
D.A type of flower
Step 2: Usage
How is the word 'garage' used in a sentence?
A.She picked some fresh garages from the garden.
B.He parked his car in the garage.
C.The garage was filled with books.
D.I bought a garage-colored shirt.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is similar to 'garage'?
A.Garden
B.House
C.Cemetery
D.Beach
Step 4: Opposite Words
Which word is the opposite of 'garage'?
A.Street
B.Basement
C.Shed
D.Library
Step 5: Mastery
In what real-life context would you see a garage being used?
A.At a grocery store
B.In a residential neighborhood
C.At a swimming pool
D.At a concert hall
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