Adjoining vs. Adjacent — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on February 29, 2024
Adjoining refers to things that are next to and connected with each other, while adjacent means next to or near but not necessarily touching.
Difference Between Adjoining and Adjacent
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Key Differences
Adjoining implies a direct connection or touch between two entities, suggesting that there is no space between them. This term is often used to describe rooms in buildings or areas of land that share a common boundary. For example, an adjoining room in a hotel shares a wall with another room, allowing for a possible doorway or passage between them.
Adjacent, on the other hand, conveys the idea of closeness without the necessity of direct contact. It indicates that two things are near each other but may be separated by a pathway, fence, or other barriers. For instance, adjacent lots in a neighborhood are close to each other but are separated by property lines or streets.
The distinction between the two terms also highlights the nature of the relationship between the items in question. Adjoining emphasizes a stronger physical connection, which might be important in contexts like property law or architecture. Adjacent focuses more on the spatial relationship, relevant in planning, geography, and similar fields.
In usage, "adjoining" can suggest a functional or physical link that might affect the use or perception of the space or object. "Adjacent" might simply denote proximity that has less impact on function or access. For example, an adjoining bathroom directly accessed from a bedroom is quite different from an adjacent bathroom that, while close, requires one to exit the bedroom to enter.
Despite these differences, in everyday language, the terms can sometimes be used interchangeably when the distinction between direct contact and mere closeness is not critical. However, in professional or technical contexts, the precise use of these terms can be important for clarity and specificity.
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Comparison Chart
Connection
Directly connected or touching
Near but not necessarily touching
Physical Space
Shares a common boundary or wall
Close in proximity but separated by space
Contextual Use
Emphasizes functional or physical linkage
Focuses on spatial relationship
Example Context
Rooms within a building, connected parcels of land
Lots in a neighborhood, items on a shelf
Relevance
Property law, architecture
Planning, geography, urban design
Compare with Definitions
Adjoining
Adjoining means directly connected or next to, sharing a common boundary.
The hotel offered us adjoining rooms for our family.
Adjacent
Adjacent means near or next to but not necessarily in direct contact.
The playground is adjacent to the school.
Adjoining
It often implies a physical or functional connection.
The garage is adjoining the house, allowing direct access.
Adjacent
It denotes proximity without implying a shared boundary.
The parking lot is adjacent to the building, separated by a sidewalk.
Adjoining
Implies continuity or uninterrupted extension.
The dining area is adjoining the kitchen, creating an open-plan space.
Adjacent
Often relates to items or areas in close spatial relationship.
The library and the museum are located on adjacent streets.
Adjoining
Common in discussions about property and architecture.
The architect designed the office with two adjoining conference rooms.
Adjacent
Used in a wide range of contexts, from geography to everyday situations.
We found a great coffee shop adjacent to our hotel.
Adjoining
Used to describe spaces within structures or connected lands.
They own two adjoining parcels of farmland.
Adjacent
Relevant in urban planning and design.
The new park will be developed on the land adjacent to the river.
Adjoining
(of a building, room, or piece of land) next to or joined with
I was in an adjoining room and could hear voices
They ended up buying the adjoining land
Adjacent
Next to or adjoining something else
Adjacent rooms
The area adjacent to the station
Adjoining
Neighboring; contiguous.
Adjacent
(of a pair of angles) formed on the same side of a straight line when intersected by another line.
Adjoining
Being in contact at some point or line; joining to
An adjoining room
Adjacent
Lying next to, close, or contiguous; neighboring; bordering on.
Because the conference room is filled, we will have our meeting in the adjacent room.
Adjoining
Present participle of adjoin
Adjacent
Something that lies next to something else, especially the side of a right triangle that is neither the hypotenuse nor the opposite.
Adjoining
Joining to; contiguous; adjacent; as, an adjoining room.
Upon the hills adjoining to the city.
Adjacent
Lying near, close, or contiguous; neighboring; bordering on; as, a field adjacent to the highway.
I find that all Europe with her adjacent isles is peopled with Christians.
Adjacent
Near or close to but not necessarily touching;
Lands adjacent to the mountains
New York and adjacent cities
Common Curiosities
Can two houses be considered adjoining?
Yes, if they share a common wall or boundary without any space in between, they are considered adjoining.
Can a garden be adjacent to a house?
Yes, a garden can be adjacent to a house if it lies close to the building but is separated by a clear boundary, like a walkway or a fence.
What does adjoining mean in real estate?
In real estate, adjoining refers to properties or spaces that are directly connected or share a common boundary, such as walls or fences.
Are adjoining rooms in hotels more expensive than adjacent rooms?
They can be, especially if the adjoining rooms offer the convenience of a shared living space for families or groups.
How do you use adjoining in a sentence?
"The library was expanded by adding an adjoining room for more bookshelves."
In legal terms, what’s the significance of adjoining vs. adjacent properties?
The legal implications can vary, with adjoining properties possibly sharing legal responsibilities for the common boundary, while adjacent properties might only concern proximity issues.
What is the importance of understanding the difference between adjoining and adjacent in urban planning?
Understanding the difference is crucial for planning the layout of cities, ensuring functional connectivity, and optimizing the use of space.
Is there a difference between adjoining and adjacent rooms in a hotel?
Yes, adjoining rooms are directly connected, often with a door between them, while adjacent rooms are near each other but not directly connected.
Can a road be adjoining to a property?
A road is typically considered adjacent to a property since it runs near or alongside the property rather than being directly connected to it.
How do you use adjacent in a sentence?
"The bus stop is adjacent to the main entrance of the shopping mall."
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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.
Co-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.
