marquee

Everyday

1. (UK, Australia, NZ, Ireland) A very large tent used for outdoor events like weddings, fairs and garden parties. tree →
2. (US, Canada) A sign or roof over the entrance of a theatre or cinema, showing the names of shows and stars in lights. tree →
3. (adjective, US) Most famous and important: «a marquee player». tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life in the UK and Australia, a marquee is put up at weddings, school fêtes, cricket matches and agricultural shows. In the USA, the marquee is the lit-up sign outside a cinema. In sport, a «marquee signing» is a star player a club buys. Phrases: «put up a marquee», «under the marquee», «marquee player».

Examples

• The school fête had a big white marquee for the cake stall. tree →
• When it rained, everyone crowded into the marquee. tree →
• The wedding party danced in a marquee in the garden. tree →
• The cinema marquee showed the name of the new film in lights. tree →
• The club's marquee signing scored in his first game. tree →
• It took ten people to put up the marquee. tree →
• The flower show was held in three marquees. tree →
• The marquee pegs were hammered deep into the grass. tree →

Note

Countable: one marquee, two marquees. Pronounced «mar-KEE». Spelling: m-a-r-q-u-e-e. Do not confuse with «marquis» (a noble title). British and American meanings differ. Not a maths word.