What does "davenport" mean?
A large sofa, especially a formal one.
Davenport
/ˈdævənpɔːt/ name, noun
name, noun ·Uncommon ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A large sofa, especially a formal one.
- Grammar: davenport is listed as name, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: cabinet, couch, cupboard, divan.
- Useful contrasts: bench, chair, first name.
- Usage evidence: Tom curled up on the davenport.
How to use "davenport"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "davenport" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "davenport" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "davenport" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "davenport" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "davenport" is acting as name, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "cabinet" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "davenport", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A large sofa, especially a formal one.
"Holonym: furniture"
- 2 a large sofa usually convertible into a bed wordnet
- 3 A writing desk, especially a small one.
"Then she went into the house, and, sitting down at the davenport in the dining-room, got out a sheet of her best notepaper, and wrote a note to Pamela Dysart in her strong, commercially clear hand."
- 4 a small decorative writing desk wordnet
Proper Noun
- 1 A surname; A habitational surname from Old English from the town in Cheshire. countable, uncountable
- 2 A surname; A surname from Irish of Irish origin from the Gaelic Ó Donndubhartaigh. countable, uncountable
- 3 A surname; A surname from Anglo-Norman of Anglo-Norman origin: de avesne port, where avesne is derived from Frankish avisna ("field" see:Wiese). countable, uncountable
- 4 A placename; Any of a number of places in the English-speaking world:; A place in the United Kingdom; A hamlet in Brereton parish, Cheshire East district, Cheshire, England (OS grid ref SJ8065). countable, uncountable
- 5 A placename; Any of a number of places in the English-speaking world:; A place in the United Kingdom; A suburb of Stockport, Greater Manchester, England, historically in Cheshire (OS grid ref SJ8988). countable, uncountable
Show 13 more definitions
- 6 A placename; Any of a number of places in the English-speaking world:; A neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. countable, uncountable
- 7 A placename; Any of a number of places in the English-speaking world:; A number of places in the United States:; A census-designated place in Santa Cruz County, California. countable, uncountable
- 8 A placename; Any of a number of places in the English-speaking world:; A number of places in the United States:; A city in Polk County, Florida. countable, uncountable
- 9 A placename; Any of a number of places in the English-speaking world:; A number of places in the United States:; A city, the county seat of Scott County, Iowa. countable, uncountable
- 10 A placename; Any of a number of places in the English-speaking world:; A number of places in the United States:; A village in Thayer County, Nebraska. countable, uncountable
- 11 A placename; Any of a number of places in the English-speaking world:; A number of places in the United States:; A town in Delaware County, New York. countable, uncountable
- 12 A placename; Any of a number of places in the English-speaking world:; A number of places in the United States:; A minor city in Cass County, North Dakota. countable, uncountable
- 13 A placename; Any of a number of places in the English-speaking world:; A number of places in the United States:; A town in Lincoln County, Oklahoma. countable, uncountable
- 14 A placename; Any of a number of places in the English-speaking world:; A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Buchanan County, Virginia. countable, uncountable
- 15 A placename; Any of a number of places in the English-speaking world:; A number of places in the United States:; A small city, the county seat of Lincoln County, Washington. countable, uncountable
- 16 A placename; Any of a number of places in the English-speaking world:; A place in Australia:; A locality in the Barkly Region, Northern Territory. countable, uncountable
- 17 A placename; Any of a number of places in the English-speaking world:; A place in Australia:; A suburb of Port Augusta, South Australia. countable, uncountable
- 18 A placename; Any of a number of places in the English-speaking world:; A place in Australia:; A suburb of Bunbury, Western Australia. countable, uncountable
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"Tom curled up on the davenport."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "davenport"?
Common synonyms include: cabinet, couch, cupboard, divan, family name, last name.
How do you use "davenport" in a sentence?
Tom curled up on the davenport.
How do you pronounce "davenport"?
Pronounced /ˈdævənpɔːt/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
* As an English surname, from Middle English Devennport, named after the River Dane + port. The first element is from Welsh dafn (“trickle, drop”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *dʰewh₂- (“mist, haze”). * As an Irish surname, from Ó Donndubhartaigh (“descendant of Donndubhartach”), which is from donn (“brown”) + dubh (“black”) + artach (“nobleman”); see airigh.
Etymology 2
* (sofa, couch): The sofa sense is a genericized trademark named after the defunct furniture manufacturer A. H. Davenport and Company. From the surname Davenport. Named after American businessman Albert H. Davenport * (desk)