Residential relates to housing — where people live. Presidential relates to a president. A residential street; the presidential election. The words differ by a p, and by a resident who lives there versus a president who presides.
The core difference
- residential — of housing or areas where people live; involving living on site. A residential area, residential care, a residential course.
- presidential — of a president or the presidency. The presidential race, a presidential pardon, presidential system.
The tell
Take off the -ial. Resident — someone who resides, lives somewhere. President — someone who presides, sits at the head. Residential is about homes; presidential is about the office. A residential election would be a vote among the people who live in a building.
In use
- residential — The road is residential, with a 20 mph limit. She lives in a residential home for older people.
- presidential — The presidential debate ran for ninety minutes. He has a presidential manner.
Common slips
- a presidential area (meaning housing) → a residential area
- the residential election → the presidential election
Residents reside; presidents preside.
Where the words come from
Residential is from Latin residere, "to sit back, to remain, to dwell" — re- + sedere "to sit". Presidential is from Latin praesidere, "to sit before, to preside" — prae- + sedere. Both are about sitting; one sits at home, the other sits in the chair.
Frequently asked questions
What is residential care?
Care provided in a home where people live full time, rather than in their own homes or in hospital.
What is a presidential system?
A system of government in which the president is both head of state and head of government, separate from the legislature.
Are the words related?
Both come from Latin sedere, to sit — reside is to sit back and stay, preside is to sit in front and lead.