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/hoʊm/

nounBeginner🔥Very CommonPlace
5 meanings5 idioms/phrases5 questions

Definitions

5 meanings
1

A place where one lives, especially with one's family; a residence.

/hoʊm/

nounneutralBeginner
Place

A place of residence

I'm going home.

💡 Simply: Imagine a cozy house where you live, eat, sleep, and relax. It's the place you go to after school or work to be with your family or roommates. It is where your most important things are

👶 For kids: A house or apartment where you live.

More Examples

2

Her home is in London.

3

Let's go back home.

How It's Used

Everyday life

"I'm going home after work."

Real Estate

"They are looking to buy a new home."

2

A place that a person regards as a center of activity and belonging.

/hoʊm/

nounpositivemedium
Place

A place of origin or belonging

This city has become my home.

💡 Simply: Think of the place you feel like you *belong* the most. It might be the town you grew up in, the country you're from, or even a favorite place you love to visit. It is where your family or people you love are

👶 For kids: The place you came from or the place that feels like where you belong.

More Examples

2

She always feels at home in the countryside.

3

I'm going home for the holidays.

How It's Used

Travel

"America is my home country."

Nostalgia

"Her home town is a place of cherished memories."

Tip:Think of the place where you feel like you belong the most.
3

To move or be directed toward a particular place or destination, especially one's home.

/hoʊm/

verbneutralmedium
Action

To travel or go home

After the game, we homed.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're a GPS trying to direct a car to the home. You could say that GPS is *homing* the car to the home.

👶 For kids: To go back to your home.

More Examples

2

The bird homed to its nest.

3

The ship homed towards the harbor.

How It's Used

General

"We are homing after the trip."

Aviation

"The aircraft homed on the radio signal."

Tip:Think of a pigeon returning to its coop.
4

To provide someone or something with a home; to take care of.

/hoʊm/

verbpositivemedium
Action

To provide a home for; to take care of

The rescue organization homes abandoned animals.

💡 Simply: Imagine giving a new home to someone. It's like when you *home* a pet by taking care of them.

👶 For kids: To give a home to someone.

More Examples

2

The charity homes many children.

3

They are looking for a family to home the baby.

How It's Used

Animals

"The animal shelter homes many stray dogs."

Social Work

"They sought to home the refugees."

Tip:Think of a place where someone is given a place to live, like a shelter.
5

Relating to or associated with the home or family.

/hoʊm/

adjectiveneutralBeginner
Descriptive

Relating to the home or family

The home crowd cheered for the team.

💡 Simply: It's anything related to your home or family. The opposite of 'away' or 'outside'.

👶 For kids: About your house or the people who live there.

More Examples

2

I enjoy home cooking.

3

They made some home improvements.

How It's Used

Sports

"The home team won the game."

Domestic

"Home improvements are in progress."

Tip:Think about what belongs to the home.

Idioms & expressions

at home

Comfortable and relaxed; at ease.

"She feels at home in the kitchen."

make yourself at home

To feel comfortable and relaxed in someone else's home.

"Please, make yourself at home while I finish making dinner."

home sweet home

Used to express pleasure at arriving or returning to one's home.

"Finally, home sweet home!"

hit home

To affect someone deeply, especially in an emotional way.

"The loss of his father really hit home."

bring home the bacon

To earn a living; to be successful in providing financial support.

"He's working hard to bring home the bacon for his family."

From Old English *hām* 'home, dwelling'. Related to Proto-Germanic *haimaz* and Proto-Indo-European *ḱóymos* (village, home).

The word 'home' has ancient roots in Germanic languages, evolving from a place of dwelling to represent a sense of belonging and family over centuries.

Memory tip

Think of the place where you feel most comfortable and safe.

Word Origin

LanguageOld English
Original meaning

"dwelling, house"

go homeat homecome homefeel at homehome countryhome townhome improvement

Common misspellings

homhoem

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written