box-office

[ boks-aw-fis, -of-is ]
/ ˈbɒksˌɔ fɪs, -ˌɒf ɪs /

adjective

of or relating to the box office or to the business and commercial aspects of the theater: a box-office window; box-office receipts; a box-office attraction.

Origin of box-office

First recorded in 1805–15; adj. use of box office

Definition for box-office (2 of 2)

box office

noun

the office of a theater, stadium, or the like, at which tickets are sold.
Theater.
  1. receipts from a play or other entertainment.
  2. entertainment popular enough to attract paying audiences and make a profit: This show will be good box office.

Origin of box office

First recorded in 1780–90

Example sentences from the Web for box-office

British Dictionary definitions for box-office

box office

noun

an office at a theatre, cinema, etc, where tickets are sold
the receipts from a play, film, etc
  1. the public appeal of an actor or productionthe musical was bad box office
  2. (as modifier)a box-office success

Idioms and Phrases with box-office

box office

1

The office where seats for a play, concert, or other form of entertainment may be purchased, as in Tickets are available at the box office. It is so called because originally (17th century) it was the place for hiring a box, a special compartment of theater seats set aside for ladies. [Second half of 1700s]

2

The financial receipts from a performance; also, a show's relative success in attracting a paying audience. For example, You may not consider it great art, but this play is good box office. [c. 1900]