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former home
/ˈfɔːrmər hoʊm/
previous residence
They visited their former home after years of living abroad.
They went back to the house where they used to live before moving away.
neutral
a place where someone previously lived
The couple decided to sell their former home before buying a new one.
They sold the house they lived in before their current residence.
Tourists often revisit their former home towns to reconnect with memories.
People return to towns where they grew up or lived earlier in life.
Commonly used in real estate, personal narratives, and travel contexts to refer to a past residence.
Collocations
former home towna town where someone previously livedreturn to former homego back to a place where one used to livesell former homesell a house where one no longer lives
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Contextual Clarity
Use 'former home' to clearly distinguish a past residence from the current one. For example, 'She kept in touch with neighbors from her former home.'
Gold Rule
Tense and Ownership
Always use 'former home' to refer to a residence that is no longer occupied. Do not use it for a home that is still lived in.
Word Origin
The phrase combines 'former' (from Old English 'forma', meaning 'first in time') and 'home' (from Old English 'hām', meaning 'dwelling, house'). The compound emerged in Middle English as a way to distinguish past dwellings from current ones.
Usage Notes
Used in both casual and formal contexts, especially when discussing life changes, real estate transactions, or personal history. Avoid using it to refer to a home that is still occupied.
Word Breakdown
former
previous in time or order
adjectivehome
a place where one lives
nounEnglish Dictionary