Are Cabinets & Cupboards the Same Thing?

PDF download Download Article
When you should say “cabinet” and when you should say “cupboard”
PDF download Download Article

Cabinets and cupboards. Cupboards and cabinets. They’re the same thing, right? Well, not exactly. These words may be used interchangeably in everyday conversation, but that doesn’t mean they’re truly synonyms. Want to learn the true definitions for "cabinet" and "cupboard" and what makes them different from each other? Keep reading!

Things You Should Know

  • A cabinet can be a built-in furniture piece in the kitchen or bathroom that is usually mounted to a wall.
  • A cupboard is typically a larger cabinet or small storage space that stands on its own.
  • Those from Britain may say “cupboard” when talking about an American closet.
Section 1 of 3:

What is a cabinet?

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e3\/Cupboard-vs-Cabinet-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Cupboard-vs-Cabinet-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e3\/Cupboard-vs-Cabinet-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Cupboard-vs-Cabinet-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    These furniture pieces conveniently hold items and are often found in kitchens or bathrooms. They can be designed in multiple ways but are typically anchored to a wall and float above another furniture piece, such as a counter or sink.
    • Cabinets can be made of wood or stainless steel.
    • These storage units are generally big enough to store pots, pans, or bottled hygienic products.
    • Now, there are instances when a cabinet is not built-in or floating. For example, a filing cabinet. However, this rule is subjective as a filing cabinet is its own entity. [1]
    2. Advertisement
Section 2 of 3:

What is a cupboard?

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/00\/Cupboard-vs-Cabinet-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Cupboard-vs-Cabinet-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/00\/Cupboard-vs-Cabinet-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Cupboard-vs-Cabinet-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    A cupboard’s purpose is to store things within a room. They can be tall furniture pieces in kitchens, dining rooms, and bedrooms, or small doored spaces under stairs. However, they’re typically tall and extend from the floor to the ceiling in some capacity. [2]
    • Cupboards are often used to display fine cutlery or dishware, especially if they have a glass door.
    • Being rather tall, these storage units are typically large enough to hang clothes or bags of food in.
Section 3 of 3:

Is “cupboard” American or British?

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/4c\/Cupboard-vs-Cabinet-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Cupboard-vs-Cabinet-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/4c\/Cupboard-vs-Cabinet-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Cupboard-vs-Cabinet-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    An American may say, “Grab the plate from the cupboard,” while gesturing to a tall rectangular shelving unit with doors in the kitchen. Someone British, however, may point to what an American calls a closet and say, “Your clothes are in the cupboard.” This is because in British English “cupboard” means the American equivalent to “closet” or “wardrobe.” [3]
    • Take a look at the proper contexts for this word:
      • In American English: “The apples were getting moldy in the back of the cupboard ,” or “Could you bring me the frying pan? It’s in the kitchen cupboard .”
      • In British English: “Can you grab my jacket from the back of the cupboard ?” or “I left your shoes in the cupboard under the stairs.”
    2. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • “Cabinet” is the most widely used in the United States, so someone may refer to a “cupboard” as a “cabinet,” even if it’s a cupboard by definition.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      A Beginner’s Guide to Cabinet Making
      How to
      Install a Closet Rod
      How to
      Extend Cabinets to the Ceiling
      How to
      Fix Broken Cabinet Hinges: 6 Quick Solutions
      How to
      Measure Cabinet Hinges
      How to
      Adjust & Reposition Euro-Style Cabinet Hinges
      How to
      Put a Closet Door Back on the Track
      How to
      Hang Wall Cabinets
      How to
      Measure Drawer Slides
      How to
      Hang a Dartboard Cabinet
      How to
      Whitewash Cabinets
      How to
      Make Cabinet Doors
      A Fast & Easy Guide to Choosing and Measuring for a Lazy Susan
      How to
      Install New Cabinet Hinges for Your Kitchen or Bathroom
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/cabinet
      2. ↑ https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/cupboard
      3. ↑ http://macmillandictionaries.com/MED-Magazine/October2003/12-feature-us-uk-housing-vocab.htm

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 33,642 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement