toilet

toilet
toi‧let S2 /ˈtɔɪlət, ˈtɔɪlɪt/ noun
1. [countable] a large bowl that you sit on to get rid of waste liquid or waste matter from your body:
    He flushed the toilet (=pulled the handle so that water ran into the toilet to clean it).
2. [countable] British English a room or building containing a toilet
   SYN  bathroom, restroom American English:
    public toilets
3. go to the toilet especially British English to pass waste liquid or waste matter from your body:
    Mummy, I need to go to the toilet!
4. [uncountable] old-fashioned the act of washing and dressing yourself:
    She finished her toilet.
     

COLLOCATIONS

■ verbs
   ▪ go to the toilet (also use the toilet especially British English) He got up to go to the toilet in the middle of the night.
   ▪ need the toilet British English (=need to use the toilet) Does anyone need the toilet before we set off?
   ▪ flush the toilet (=make water go through it to clean it) I heard someone flush the toilet.
■ adjectives
   ▪ a public toilet especially British English He set off across the square in search of a public toilet.
   ▪ a disabled toilet British English (=one for disabled people) Is there a disabled toilet?
   ▪ an outside toilet (=one that is outside a house, not in it) The house was small, with no hot water and an outside toilet.
   ▪ an indoor toilet Many cottages lacked a bathroom or indoor toilet.
■ toilet + NOUN
   ▪ toilet facilities Toilet facilities are available at the bus station.
   ▪ the toilet seat He always left the toilet seat up.
   ▪ the toilet bowl She was scrubbing the toilet bowl.
■ COMMON ERRORS
    ► Do not say 'go to toilet'. Say go to the toilet.
     

THESAURUS

   ▪ toilet British English a room with a toilet in it, in someone’s house or in a public place: He locked himself in the toilet. | the public toilets
   ▪ bathroom a room with a toilet in it, in someone’s house. In British English, bathroom is used especially when you want to be polite. In American English, it is the usual word to use: He asked to use the bathroom.
   ▪ restroom American English a room in a public place that has one or more toilets in it: She went into the store to use the restroom.
   ▪ lavatory formal a room with a toilet in it. In American English lavatory is used mainly for toilets in a public building or on a plane. In British English it is used both about public toilets and toilets in people’s houses: public lavatories | He didn’t have time to visit the lavatory.
   ▪ loo British English informal, john American English informal a room with a toilet in it. Loo is very common in everyday spoken British English: ‘Where’s Chris?’ ‘He’s in the loo.’ | Can I use your loo? | Where’s the john?
   ▪ bog British English informal a very informal word for a toilet, which is not considered polite: The nearest bog was miles away.
   ▪ the ladies British English, the ladies’ room American English a public toilet for women: Where’s the ladies? | I need to go to the ladies’ room.
   ▪ the gents British English, the men’s room American English a public toilet for men: I followed him into the gents. | I’ve got to go to the men’s room. Excuse me.
   ▪ latrine an outdoor toilet in a camp or military area: The latrines were in a shocking state.
   ▪ urinal a type of toilet for men that is attached to a wall: He was standing at the urinal.
   ▪ potty a bowl that babies use as a toilet: Does he need his potty?
   ▪ commode a chair with a bowl in it, used as a toilet, especially in hospitals and homes for old people: She has to use a commode.
   ▪ bedpan a container which is used as a toilet, especially in hospitals by people who are too ill or weak to get out of bed: I had to change the bedpans.