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The dictionary says a bookshelf is a shelf that you keep books on

My dad gave me this one which has 5 shelves:

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What is this whole thing called? a bookshelf or bookshelves

Is it correct to say "he gave me a bookshelf" or "he gave me bookshelves"?

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  • A bookshelf is a single shelf (horizontal plank of wood). Bookshelves plural means one or more units.
    – Stuart F
    Commented Jul 7 at 18:34
  • +1 A good question. I don't understand why a negative mark is given. The question is also popular 71 views in a day.
    – James Mathai
    Commented Jul 9 at 0:04
  • Ref. Collins dictionary meaning, bookshelf in British English NOUN. a piece of furniture consisting of a shelf or shelves for books.
    – James Mathai
    Commented Jul 9 at 0:14

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Bookshelves is ambiguous, but so would be bookshelf. The ambiguity can be avoided by referring to the thing your father gave you as a bookcase.

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    Or a set of bookshelves.
    – Kate Bunting
    Commented Jul 7 at 15:56
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A bookshelf may have many shelves.

Ref. Collins dictionary meaning,
bookshelf in British English NOUN.
a piece of furniture consisting of a shelf or shelves for books. collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/bookshelf –

Can you use the word "bookcase" for the one your dad gave.
What Is A Bookcase?

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Generally, a bookcase is a large, standalone piece of furniture with a number of shelves for storing things. A bookcase, as opposed to a bookshelf, frequently features doors that can be closed to protect your items from dust. In addition to being taller than bookshelves, bookcases have several shelves inside of them. Ref. https://www.maximfurniture.com.my/bookshelf-vs-bookcase-whats-the-difference-and-how-to-choose/

You can call your item bookshelf because it is is commonly used interchangeably to mean a furniture having many shelves. Each row in a bookshelf is also called a "tier". If you call it "bookshelves". It sounds funny to say, " My dad gave me "a bookshelves".

enter image description here Bookshelves come in tiers, with each row of shelves called a shelf or tier.
Her bookshelf has five tiers, full of science fiction novels. https://www.wordupapp.co/dictionary/bookshelf

So it can be called "a bookshelf", "a bookshelf cabinet" or "a bookcase".

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  • The advert you show here calls that furniture item a "Bookshelf Cabinet", not a "Bookshelf". The word bookshelf is not used to mean a bookcase or other item with multiple shelves.
    – Rosie F
    Commented Jul 8 at 6:49
  • @RosieF This is from Amazon. They mentioned bookshelf also. "A bookshelf' is a term popularly used for a set of bookshelves. I am unaware if it is unacceptable or inappropriate in some countries.
    – James Mathai
    Commented Jul 8 at 9:14
  • I agree with that. Referring to the whole furniture item as a bookshelf is common.
    – Hiten Style
    Commented Jul 8 at 14:42
  • @RosieF I don't know where you live, but it definitely is for me. "Bookcase" isn't in my vernacular. The bookshelf is the unit of furniture, and the individual levels are shelves.
    – the-baby-is-you
    Commented Jul 8 at 15:27
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    @WendyG It made me do more research and I found in Collins dictionary. I am in the group just to learn new words and get knowledge. I feel obliged when someone points my mistakes.
    – James Mathai
    Commented Jul 9 at 9:49

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