lav

Lav is an informal abbreviation for lavatory, the room containing a toilet and usually a washbasin. It is most commonly heard in British English and other varieties influenced by it. In American English, terms such as bathroom or restroom are more common, and lavatory is considered more formal or less frequently used in everyday speech.

Etymology: Lavatory derives from Medieval Latin lavatorium, from lavare meaning “to wash.” The clipping lav emerged as a compact form of lavatory in modern usage, particularly in travel contexts and on signs where space is limited.

Usage and signage: Lav is typically used in informal speech or in writing where brevity is desired. On public signs, you may see “Lav.”, “Lav” or “LAV” as an abbreviation for lavatory. In American contexts, signage more often uses “Restroom” or “Bathroom” rather than lavatory, while British and other Commonwealth contexts may still feature lavatory signage in certain settings.

Other uses: In some cultures, Lav is also a given name or nickname, derived from longer names such as Lavinia or used as an independent name in its own right. The term remains primarily a shorthand reference to the room designed for toilet use, with regional preferences governing its familiarity.