Neighboring

/ˈneɪbərɪŋ/

adjectiveBeginner📊CommonGeneral
1 meaning1 idiom/phrase3 questions

Definitions

1

Situated or lying near; adjacent.

/ˈneɪbərɪŋ/

adjectiveneutralBeginner
General

Being situated or living nearby.

The neighboring houses share a common fence.

💡 Simply: Imagine your best friend lives right next door. Their house is 'neighboring' yours! It's all about being close to each other.

👶 For kids: Next door or close by.

More Examples

2

They decided to take a trip to a neighboring town.

3

A neighboring business complained about the noise.

How It's Used

Geography

"The neighboring countries share a long border."

Residential

"We have a friendly relationship with our neighboring family."

Synonyms & Antonyms

Idioms & expressions

neighborly

Friendly, helpful, and considerate towards neighbors.

"They have a neighborly relationship."

From Middle English *neighebouren*, from Old English *nēahbūrig* (“living nearby”), equivalent to *neighbor* + *-ing*. Neighbor itself comes from Old English *nēah* (“near”) + *būr* (“dweller, farmer”).

The word 'neighboring' has been used in the English language since the Middle Ages, evolving from Old English roots to describe proximity and adjacency.

Memory tip

Think of a neighbor you know; their house is next to yours, therefore neighboring.

Word Origin

LanguageOld English
Original meaning

"near dweller"

neighboring countriesneighboring areasneighboring townsneighboring houses

Common misspellings

neighbouringneiboringneibouring

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written