bar stool

Meaning

A 'bar stool' is a tall, narrow chair, often without a back or armrests, designed for people to sit on at a bar or high counter. You will frequently encounter this term in hotels, restaurants, pubs, and cafes while traveling. It is a neutral, everyday physical object.

Examples

• We managed to grab two bar stools right next to the window.

  We managed to grab two bar stools right next to the window.

• He sat on a wooden bar stool and ordered a local beer.

  He sat on a wooden bar stool and ordered a local beer.

• Are these bar stools comfortable enough for a long dinner?

  Are these bar stools comfortable enough for a long dinner?

• The bartender wiped down the counter and pulled up a bar stool.

  The bartender wiped down the counter and pulled up a bar stool.

• The pub was so crowded that all the bar stools were already taken.

  The pub was so crowded that all the bar stools were already taken.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I sat on a bar chair to drink my coffee.

  ✓ I sat on a bar stool to drink my coffee.

  While it is a type of chair, native speakers specifically call these tall, backless seats 'stools' or 'bar stools'.

• ✗ Could we get two bar seats near the counter?

  ✓ Could we get two bar stools near the counter?

  Although 'seats' is understood, 'stools' is the precise and natural term for the physical objects.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The counter was crowded, but there was one empty ___ at the end.

  💡 A tall seat used at a counter.

  Show answer

  bar stool

• She spun around on her ___ to wave at her friends entering the pub.

  💡 The tall chair in a bar that often rotates.

  Show answer

  bar stool