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home
/hoʊm/
place where one lives
After years abroad, she finally returned to her childhood home.
She returned to the place where she grew up.
neutral
The place where one lives permanently, especially as a member of a family or household.
They bought a small home in the countryside.
They purchased a small house in the rural area.
The company's headquarters is in New York, but its home office is in London.
The main office is in New York, but the base of operations is in London.
Can refer to a house, apartment, or any dwelling. Often implies a sense of belonging or comfort.
informal
To go or return to one's place of residence.
It's getting late; I think I'll home soon.
It's getting late; I think I'll go back to my house soon.
Informal usage, often used in phrasal verbs like 'go home' or 'come home'.
formal
Of or relating to one's own country or locality.
The home team won the championship.
The local team won the championship.
Used in sports or competitive contexts to refer to the team representing the host location.
Collocations
at homein one's house or familiar surroundingsmake yourself at homefeel comfortable and relaxedhome addressthe specific location where someone liveshome countryone's native countryhome officea room in a house used for work
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoid confusion with 'house'
While 'home' and 'house' are often used interchangeably, 'home' emphasizes the emotional connection and sense of belonging, whereas 'house' refers strictly to the physical building. For example, 'I have a house' describes a property, while 'I have a home' suggests a place of comfort and familiarity.
Gold Rule
Use 'home' for emotional context
When describing feelings of comfort, security, or belonging, 'home' is the preferred word. For example, 'I feel at home here' implies comfort, while 'I live in a house here' does not.
Word Origin
Old English 'hām' meaning 'dwelling, house, estate, village', of Germanic origin; related to Dutch 'huis' and German 'Heim'.
Usage Notes
The word 'home' often carries emotional connotations beyond just a physical structure, implying comfort, security, and belonging. It is commonly used in idioms like 'home is where the heart is' to emphasize emotional attachment.
Word Breakdown
hām
dwelling, house
rootEnglish Dictionary