Cloakroom vs. Toilet — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 30, 2024
Cloakroom typically refers to a small room for coats and storage, while a toilet specifically denotes a restroom or bathroom facility.
Difference Between Cloakroom and Toilet
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A cloakroom is generally a small room or space in a public building or office where outer garments, hats, or umbrellas can be stored temporarily. Whereas, a toilet refers to a facility equipped with a lavatory and often other amenities like a sink and shower, specifically used for personal hygiene.
Cloakrooms are designed for temporary storage and convenience, aiming to keep personal belongings safe while individuals attend events or visit public spaces. On the other hand, toilets serve a critical function in sanitation, providing a space for individuals to relieve themselves and maintain hygiene.
While cloakrooms do not usually include plumbing facilities, toilets are defined by their plumbing features, including at least a toilet bowl and, typically, a flushing mechanism. This distinction highlights their different functional purposes within public or private establishments.
In terms of location, cloakrooms can be found near the entrances of buildings, facilitating easy access and use by guests. Toilets, however, are strategically placed to ensure privacy and accessibility, often accompanied by signs for easy identification.
The term cloakroom can sometimes be used in British English to refer to a small, downstairs bathroom with only a toilet and sink, showing a slight overlap in terminology. Conversely, the term toilet consistently denotes the actual fixture or the room containing it, focusing strictly on hygiene facilities.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Function
Storage for coats and other personal items
Sanitation facility for personal hygiene
Typical Contents
Coat racks, hangers, shelves
Toilet bowl, sink, sometimes a shower or bathtub
Plumbing Required
No
Yes
Location
Near building entrances for easy access
Placed for privacy, often marked with signs
Usage in Language
Sometimes used to refer to a small toilet in the UK
Consistently denotes a sanitation facility
Compare with Definitions
Cloakroom
A service area in clubs, restaurants, or theaters.
The cloakroom staff was attentive and quick in assisting guests with their belongings.
Toilet
Sanitation facilities in a residential or commercial building.
All the toilets in the office building are cleaned twice a day.
Cloakroom
A small room or closet in which items like hats, coats, and umbrellas are hung.
Upon entering the building, visitors were directed to the cloakroom for their convenience.
Toilet
A room containing one or more toilets and sinks for public or private use.
The restaurant's toilet was clean and well-maintained.
Cloakroom
A room in which outer garments and other items can be stored temporarily.
The theater had a cloakroom at the entrance for guests to leave their coats.
Toilet
(Informal) The act of using a toilet for urination or defecation.
The toddler is just learning to go to the toilet on his own.
Cloakroom
A secondary space used for general storage in a house or building.
The apartment featured a small cloakroom that was perfect for extra storage.
Toilet
A compartment in a bathroom that houses the toilet.
The toilet was separated from the rest of the bathroom by a sliding door.
Cloakroom
(UK) A small bathroom with only a toilet and sink.
There's a cloakroom downstairs next to the study for guests.
Toilet
A fixture used for defecation and urination, typically consisting of a bowl and seat.
The toilet was equipped with an eco-friendly dual flush system.
Cloakroom
A cloakroom, or sometimes coatroom, is a room for people to hang their coats, cloaks or other outerwear when they enter a building. Cloakrooms are typically found inside large buildings, such as gymnasiums, schools, churches or meeting halls.
Toilet
A toilet is a piece of sanitary hardware that collects human urine and feces, and sometimes toilet paper, usually for disposal. Flush toilets use water, while dry or non-flush toilets do not.
Cloakroom
A room where coats and other articles may be left temporarily, as in a theater or school. Also called coatroom.
Toilet
A fixed receptacle into which a person may urinate or defecate, typically consisting of a large bowl connected to a system for flushing away the waste into a sewer
Liz heard the toilet flush
A toilet seat
He got up to go to the toilet
Cloakroom
A private lounge adjacent to a legislative chamber.
Toilet
The process of washing oneself, dressing, and attending to one's appearance
Her toilet completed, she finally went back downstairs
Cloakroom
A room intended for holding guests' cloaks and other heavy outerwear, as at a theater or night club.
Toilet
Assist or supervise (someone, especially an infant or invalid) in using a toilet.
Cloakroom
A room intended for holding luggage, as at an airport.
Toilet
An apparatus for defecation and urination, usually consisting of a bowl fitted with a hinged seat and connected to a waste pipe and a flushing apparatus.
Cloakroom
A private lounge next to a legislative chamber.
Toilet
A room or booth containing such an apparatus.
Cloakroom
A lavatory, now particularly a small secondary lavatory or a men's room.
Toilet
The act or process of dressing or grooming oneself.
Cloakroom
A room, attached to any place of public resort, where cloaks, overcoats, etc., may be deposited for a time.
Toilet
Dress; attire; costume.
Cloakroom
A private lounge off of a legislative chamber
Toilet
The cleansing of a body area as part of a surgical or medical procedure.
Cloakroom
A room where coats and other articles can be left temporarily
Toilet
(Archaic) A dressing table.
Toilet
A room or enclosed area containing a fixture used for urination and defecation (i.e. a toilet (sense 2)): a bathroom or water closet.
Sorry, I was in the toilet.
Toilet
A fixture used for urination and defecation, particularly one with a large bowl and ring-shaped seat which uses water to flush the waste material into a septic tank or sewer system.
My toilet backed up. Now the bathroom's flooded.
Toilet
(figuratively) A very shabby or dirty place.
Toilet
(NZ) A small secondary lavatory having a fixture used for urination and defecation (i.e. a toilet (sense 2)) and sink but no bathtub or shower.toilet
Toilet
(obsolete) A covering of linen, silk, or tapestry, spread over a dressing table in a chamber or dressing room.
Toilet
(obsolete) The table covered by such a cloth; a dressing table.
Toilet
Personal grooming; the process of washing, dressing and arranging the hair.
Toilet
One's style of dressing: dress, outfit.
Toilet
(archaic) A dressing room.
Toilet
(obsolete) A chamber pot.
Toilet
(dated) To dress and groom oneself.
Toilet
To use the toilet.
Toilet
To assist another (a child, etc.) in using the toilet.
Toilet
A covering of linen, silk, or tapestry, spread over a table in a chamber or a dressing room.
Toilet
A dressing table.
Toilet
Act or mode of dressing, or that which is arranged in dressing; attire; dress; as, her toilet is perfect.
Toilet
A room equipped with toilet facilities
Toilet
A plumbing fixture for defecation and urination
Toilet
Misfortune resulting in lost effort or money;
His career was in the gutter
All that work went down the sewer
Pensions are in the toilet
Toilet
The act of dressing and preparing yourself;
He made his morning toilet and went to breakfast
Common Curiosities
What is the primary use of a cloakroom?
A cloakroom is primarily used for storing coats and other personal items temporarily.
Can a cloakroom include a toilet?
In British English, the term can refer to a small bathroom with only a toilet and sink.
Where are cloakrooms usually located in buildings?
Cloakrooms are typically located near the entrances of buildings to provide easy access for storage.
Is a cloakroom the same as a wardrobe?
No, a cloakroom is intended for temporary storage in public or communal spaces, while a wardrobe is a personal storage space in homes.
Can toilets be part of a cloakroom?
Yes, especially in the UK where cloakrooms can also mean a small bathroom with basic facilities.
What does the term toilet specifically refer to?
It refers to both the fixture used for urination and defecation and the room containing it.
How does the function of a cloakroom differ from a toilet?
A cloakroom is for storage, whereas a toilet is for personal hygiene.
What is the difference between a cloakroom and a toilet in terms of plumbing?
Cloakrooms generally do not require plumbing, while toilets do due to their sanitation functions.
What facilities are typically found in a toilet?
Facilities include a toilet bowl, sink, and sometimes additional amenities like a shower or bathtub.
Is it common to find cloakrooms in American homes?
No, cloakrooms are less common in American homes compared to public and commercial settings.
What kind of privacy is offered by cloakrooms and toilets?
Toilets are designed for privacy, whereas cloakrooms are accessible for public use without privacy concerns.
Are cloakrooms common in all types of buildings?
They are more common in public and commercial buildings than in private residences.
How are toileting needs accommodated in buildings without toilets?
Buildings without toilets typically have access to external or nearby sanitation facilities.
What should one expect in a building's cloakroom?
Expect coat racks, shelves, and sometimes attendants depending on the establishment.
How are cloakrooms and toilets cleaned?
Cloakrooms require regular cleaning of storage surfaces, while toilets need frequent sanitation to maintain hygiene.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj 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.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
