doorway

Everyday

1. A doorway is the opening in a wall where a door is. tree →
2. A doorway can mean the space just inside or outside a door. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life people stand in a doorway to talk or to wait; in an earthquake drill some children learn «drop, cover and hold on» under a table rather than in a doorway. In stories a figure appears in the doorway, showing someone arriving. Phrases: «in the doorway», «stand in the doorway», «block the doorway».

Examples

• Mum stood in the doorway and called us in. tree →
• Don't block the doorway with your bag. tree →
• A shadow appeared in the doorway. tree →
• The cat sat in the doorway, watching. tree →
• The doorway was too low, so he ducked. tree →
• We hung a curtain across the doorway. tree →
• The fire exit doorway must stay clear. tree →
• She waved from the kitchen doorway. tree →
• So she went up to the doorway, and over it she found written: tree →

Note

Countable, one word: door + way. A «door» is the thing that opens and closes; the «doorway» is the opening. Safety: keep doorways and fire exits clear. Old myth: standing in a doorway is safest in an earthquake — modern advice is «drop, cover and hold on» under a sturdy table.