Definition

A piece of furniture with shelves used to store or display books.

Example

She organized her novels on the bookshelf in the living room.

Conversation

I just finished organizing my bookshelf this weekend.

Oh really? That sounds like a fun project!

Yeah, I found some old books I forgot I had on the bookshelf.

That's always a nice surprise; it's like discovering new stories!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Bookshelf → It is formed from "book" (from Old English *bōc*, meaning a written work or text) and "shelf" (from Old English *scylfe*, meaning a ledge or platform). A bookshelf is a structure designed to hold books on its shelves.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'book' as a written work and a 'shelf' as a ledge to hold things — together, a bookshelf is a ledge for holding written works.

Visually Confused Words