jailhouse
word
Definition
A 'jailhouse' is an informal or old-fashioned word for a jail or prison, meaning the building where people are kept as punishment for a crime.
Usage & Nuances
'Jailhouse' is informal and often used in American English or in older texts. It appears in phrases like 'jailhouse rock'. More common synonyms are 'jail' or 'prison'. Using 'jailhouse' can give a country, old-time, or musical feel.
Spanish: cárcel (coloquial) - prisión (coloquial)Portuguese (BR): cadeia (coloquial) - prisão (coloquial)Portuguese (PT): cadeia (coloquial) - prisão (coloquial)Chinese (Simplified): 监狱（口语）Chinese (Traditional): 監獄（口語）Hindi: जेलहाउस (सामान्यतः जेल)Arabic: السجن (عامية)Bengali: জেলহাউস - পুরনো জেলখানাRussian: тюрьма (устар., разговорное)Japanese: 刑務所（昔の言い方）Vietnamese: nhà tù (cách gọi cũ) - nhà giamKorean: 구치소 (옛 표현) - 감옥 (옛날식)Turkish: hapishane (eski, gayri resmi)Urdu: جیل ہاؤس (پرانا یا غیر رسمی) - جیل (پرانا انداز)Indonesian: penjara tua - penjara (istilah lama/informal)
Example Sentences
They say the old jailhouse is haunted.
natural
Ever heard the song 'Jailhouse Rock'?
natural
The old jailhouse is now a museum.
basic
He was taken to the jailhouse last night.
basic
There is a new jailhouse in town.
basic
The sheriff locked the thief in the jailhouse for the night.
natural