twin-bed

twin-bed — noun

1. A single bed that belongs to a matching set of two single beds, usually placed t

1.nounB1
Definition

A single bed that belongs to a matching set of two single beds, usually placed together in the same room so that two people can sleep in separate beds.

Example

Rin pushed her twin bed against the wall to make space for a desk.

twin bed + push/place — positioning in a room

Each twin bed in the hotel room had its own reading lamp and nightstand.

each twin bed — referring to one of a pair

Common collocations
  • twin bed + mattress
  • twin bed + frame
  • pair of twin beds
  • twin bed + sheet
  • twin bed + room
Synonyms
  • single bed

    Refers to any bed for one person, not necessarily one of a matching pair.

  • twin-size bed

    Standard US mattress size (38 x 75 inches); more technical and size-specific than 'twin bed'.

Antonyms
  • double bed

    A wide bed designed for two people to share, not two separate single beds.

  • king-size bed

    A much wider single mattress for two people; opposite in size and arrangement.

Grammar Patterns

twin bed + is/are

a twin bed

Usage Note

Frequently used in the plural (twin beds) when referring to the pair as a whole. The singular (a twin bed) refers to one half of the pair.

Common Mistakes

We slept in a twin bed.' (meaning the room had two beds).
We slept in twin beds.
Use plural when describing a pair of single beds in a room.
A twin bed is the same as a double bed.
A twin bed is a single bed that is part of a pair; a double bed is one wide bed for two people.
Twin beds are separate; a double bed is a single mattress.

twin-bed — adjective

Word family

  • twin bed
    nounB1
  • twin-bedded
    adjectiveB2
  • single bed
    nounA2
  • double bed
    nounA2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

A single bed is any bed made for one person, without implying a matching partner. A twin bed is specifically one half of a pair of matching single beds placed in the same room — the twin beds are the pair, and each individual is a twin bed. A double bed (also called a full-size bed) is a single wide mattress meant for two people to share — unlike twin beds, there is no gap between the sleepers. Bunk beds stack two single beds vertically to save floor space, whereas twin beds sit side by side at the same height. In a hotel, if you ask for 'twin beds' you get two separate single beds; if you ask for 'a double' you get one wide bed. Remember: twin beds = separate; double = together; bunk = stacked.

single bedtwin beddouble bedbunk bed

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • pair of twin beds
  • set of twin beds

Prepositions

  • in a twin bed
  • on a twin bed

Etymology

Old EnglishGermanicEnglish

The word 'twin' comes from Old English 'twinn', meaning double or twofold, and has Germanic roots. 'Bed' comes from Old English 'bedd', of Germanic origin. The compound 'twin bed' first appeared in the late 19th century, when separate beds for couples or siblings sharing a room became common in European and American homes. The hyphenated adjective form 'twin-bed' emerged later in the 20th century as hotels standardized room types for travelers.