ambiance

or am·bi·ence

[ am-bee-uhns; French ahn-byahns ]

noun

, plural am·bi·anc·es [am, -bee-, uh, n-siz, ah, n, -, byahns].

1. the mood, character, quality, tone, atmosphere, etc., particularly of an environment or milieu:

   The restaurant had a delightful ambiance.

2. that which surrounds or encompasses; environment.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ambiance¹

First recorded in 1885–95; from French, equivalent to ambi(ant) “surrounding” ( Middle French, also ambient ), from Latin; ambient + -ance -ance

Synonym Study

See environment.

Example Sentences

The wine, service, drinks, ambiance and vibe are all equally as important as the food or price you're paying.

From Salon

The earnestness is almost as overwhelming as the ambiance.

From Los Angeles Times

For “The Legend of Zelda,” this is soft campfire noises; for the “Super Mario Bros.” franchise, this is space-age ambiance.

From Los Angeles Times

The difference is that while Sinatra’s voice remains omnipresent in modern life, “the ephemeral magic of Johnny Carson, who loomed just as large and swung just as mightily … no longer hums and flickers into nightscape ambiance.”

From Los Angeles Times

Each concept has offered something unique to Washington but with a consistent commitment to great food, service and ambiance true to our brand.

From Salon

Related Words

• ambience
• atmosphere
• environs
• milieu
• surroundings