Attic vs. Basement — What's the Difference?

An attic (sometimes referred to as a loft) is a space found directly below the pitched roof of a house or other building; an attic may also be called a sky parlor or a garret. Because attics fill the space between the ceiling of the top floor of a building and the slanted roof, they are known for being awkwardly shaped spaces with exposed rafters and difficult-to-reach corners.

A basement or cellar is one or more floors of a building that are completely or partly below the ground floor. It generally is used as a utility space for a building, where such items as the boiler, water heater, breaker panel or fuse box, car park, and air-conditioning system are located; so also are amenities such as the electrical distribution system and cable television distribution point.

A story or room directly below the roof of a building, especially a house.

The floor of a building which is partly or entirely below ground level

A low wall or story above the cornice of a classical façade.

The substructure or foundation of a building.

The ancient Greek dialect of Attica, in which the bulk of classical Greek literature is written.

The lowest habitable story of a building, usually below ground level.

Of, relating to, or characteristic of ancient Attica, Athens, or the Athenians.

A complex of undifferentiated igneous and metamorphic rocks underlying sedimentary strata.

Characterized by purity, simplicity, and elegant wit

(Slang) The last place or lowest level, as in competitive standings.

The space, often unfinished and with sloped walls, directly below the roof in the uppermost part of a house or other building, generally used for storage or habitation.

Chiefly New England A public toilet, especially one in a school.

(slang) A person's head or brain.

A floor of a building below ground level.

Of or pertaining to Attica, in Greece, or to Athens, its principal city; marked by such qualities as were characteristic of the Athenians; classical; refined.

(geology) A mass of igneous or metamorphic rock forming the foundation over which a platform of sedimentary rocks is laid.

A low story above the main order or orders of a facade, in the classical styles; - a term introduced in the 17th century. Hence:

Last place in a sports conference standings.

An Athenian; an Athenian author.

The lowermost portion of a structure partly or wholly below ground level; often used for storage

Floor consisting of open space at the top of a house just below roof; often used for storage

The ground floor facade or interior in Renaissance architecture

The dialect of Ancient Greek spoken and written in Attica and Athens

Informal terms for a human head

(architecture) a low wall at the top of the entablature; hides the roof

Of or relating to Attica or its inhabitants or to the dialect spoken in Athens in classical times;