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Arbor vs. Arbour — What's the Difference?

Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 18, 2024
Arbor refers to a garden structure supporting climbing plants, while arbour is simply the British spelling of the same word.
Arbor vs. Arbour — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Arbor and Arbour

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Key Differences

Arbor is commonly used in American English to describe a framework that supports vines or other climbing plants, often found in gardens or park settings. Whereas, arbour is the British English spelling for the same structure, emphasizing the regional linguistic differences.
An arbor is typically made of wood or metal and serves both a functional and decorative purpose, providing shade and a scenic point of interest. On the other hand, an arbour can also include seating beneath the lattice work, enhancing its utility as a restful garden nook.
Arbors are often associated with romantic and picturesque garden landscapes in American cultural contexts. Meanwhile, in British contexts, arbours are similarly evoked in literature and garden design, reflecting the shared cultural appreciation despite the spelling variation.
In terms of usage, "arbor" appears frequently in American garden manuals and landscaping literature. In contrast, "arbour" is more commonly found in British publications and garden design discussions, underlining the adaptability of language in different English-speaking regions.
While arbors can be simple or elaborate in design, based on the aesthetic and functional requirements of the garden, arbours follow the same versatility, proving that the difference in spelling does not affect the structure’s variety and adaptability.
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Comparison Chart

Spelling

Arbor
Arbour

Pronunciation

/ˈɑrbər/
/ˈɑːbə(r)/

Usage Context

American English
British English

Literature

Appears in American garden texts
Featured in British garden texts

Design Variety

Ranges from simple to elaborate
Similarly varies from simple to elaborate

Compare with Definitions

Arbor

An arch or structure made of leaves and branches.
The floral arbor at the wedding was stunning.

Arbour

A shady garden alcove with sides and a roof formed by trees or climbing plants.
They rested in the arbour during the afternoon.

Arbor

A shaded area in a garden covered with climbing plants.
We enjoyed lunch under the grape arbor.

Arbour

An architectural element in classic British gardens.
The old estate had a beautifully restored arbour.

Arbor

A framework that supports climbing plants.
They built a wooden arbor for the new vineyard.

Arbour

The British spelling for a structure that supports plants.
The rose arbour was in full bloom.

Arbor

A garden feature that can be decorative or functional.
Their backyard arbor is the centerpiece of the annual garden show.

Arbour

A focal point in a landscape design.
The new arbour will be the highlight of our redesigned garden.

Arbor

A peaceful sitting area in a garden.
She read her book in the quiet of the garden arbor.

Arbour

A restful place in a British garden.
Grandpa loves to nap in his garden arbour.

Arbor

A shady resting place in a garden or park, often made of latticework on which plants such as climbing shrubs or vines are grown.

Arbour

Variant of arbor1.

Arbor

An axis or shaft supporting a rotating part on a lathe.

Arbour

Standard spelling of arbor

Arbor

A bar for supporting cutting tools.

Arbour

A framework that supports climbing plants;
The arbor provided a shady resting place in the park

Arbor

A spindle of a wheel, as in watches and clocks.

Arbor

Pl. ar·bo·res (ärbə-rēz′) A tree, as opposed to a shrub.

Arbor

A shady sitting place or pergola usually in a park or garden, surrounded by climbing shrubs, vines or other vegetation.

Arbor

A grove of trees.

Arbor

An axis or shaft supporting a rotating part on a lathe.

Arbor

A bar for supporting cutting tools.

Arbor

A spindle of a wheel.

Arbor

A kind of latticework formed of, or covered with, vines, branches of trees, or other plants, for shade; a bower.

Arbor

A tree, as distinguished from a shrub.

Arbor

An axle or spindle of a wheel or opinion.

Arbor

Tree (as opposed to shrub)

Arbor

Any of various rotating shafts that serve as axes for larger rotating parts

Arbor

A framework that supports climbing plants;
The arbor provided a shady resting place in the park

Common Curiosities

What is an arbor?

An arbor is a structure in a garden designed to support climbing plants and provide shade.

What materials are used to build an arbor?

Arbors can be made from wood, metal, or other durable materials.

Are arbors found only in private gardens?

No, arbors are also common in public parks and community gardens.

How do you spell arbor in British English?

In British English, arbor is spelled as arbour.

What is an arbour in gardening?

An arbour is a garden structure that provides a shaded sitting area and supports climbing plants.

Is there any functional difference between an arbor and an arbour?

No, the function is the same; the difference is mainly in spelling.

What is the cultural significance of arbors in garden design?

Arbors have a romantic connotation and are often associated with tranquil and picturesque garden scenes.

Can an arbor be used for functions other than supporting plants?

Yes, an arbor can also provide a shaded seating area or serve as a decorative element in a garden.

How do arbours enhance a garden's aesthetics?

Arbours add vertical interest and can serve as an architectural focal point in garden design.

Can arbours have seats?

Yes, many arbours include built-in seating.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Urooj Arif
Urooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.

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