Coffer is a noun with two related but distinct meanings. It can refer to an ornamentaldecorative; made to look attractive rather than serve a practical purpose recessedset back into a surface so it does not stick out panel in a ceiling or dome, or to a chest used for keeping valuablesobjects that are worth a lot of money or are highly prized safe.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˈkɑfər/
Easy pronunciation: KAH-fər (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress the first syllable: KAH-fər.
Use this pronunciation for the architectural noun meaning a recessed panel in a ceiling or dome.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Coffer Meaning
a decorative recessed square or panel in a ceiling or dome
Part of speech: noun
Definition: an ornamental sunken panel in a ceiling or dome
Example: The old library had a ceiling lined with carved coffers.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- caisson — Used in architecture for a similar recessed panel or structural box-like form.
- lacunar — An architectural term for a coffered recess, especially in a ceiling.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Coffer
Meaning 2
a strong box or chest for valuables
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a chest especially for storing valuables
Example: The jewels were locked away in a coffer.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Coffer Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- caisson
- lacunar
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- People sometimes confuse coffer with coffin, but they are different words with different meanings.
- In everyday English, coffer most often appears in architectural writing rather than as a common word for a money chest.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does coffer mean in architecture?
In architecture, a coffer is a sunken ornamental panel in a ceiling or dome. A series of these is called a coffered ceiling.
Does coffer mean a chest?
Yes. It can also mean a chest or strong box used for storing valuables.
What are the synonyms of coffer?
For the architectural sense, the best synonyms are caisson and lacunar. The chest sense has fewer direct synonyms in the supplied data.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.