home
Home (noun) means the place where someone lives, especially with their family. Example: “After the trip, it felt good to finally be home.”
How to use home
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWhere you live — your house, or more broadly, the place or country you feel you belong to.
Word forms
- Singular
- homes
- Past tense
- homed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
After the trip, it felt good to finally be _____.
Etymology
From Old English hām, going back to a very old Indo-European root meaning "village" or "dwelling place."
Related words
Rhymes for home
See all rhymes for home →Frequently asked questions
What does “home” mean?
The word “home” means the place where someone lives, especially with their family. In plain terms, where you live — your house, or more broadly, the place or country you feel you belong to.
How do you pronounce “home”?
“Home” is pronounced hohm (/hoʊm/ in IPA).
How do you use “home” in a sentence?
Here is “home” used in a sentence: “After the trip, it felt good to finally be home.”
What is another word for “home”?
Words with a similar meaning to “home” include homeward.
What is the opposite of “home”?
The opposite of “home” — its antonyms — is End.
What part of speech is “home”?
Depending on how it is used, “home” can be a noun, an adjective and an adverb.
Where does the word “home” come from?
The word “home” comes from Old English. From Old English hām, going back to a very old Indo-European root meaning "village" or "dwelling place.".
Is “home” a common word?
“Home” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between a house and a home?
A house is a building — a physical structure people live in. A home is the emotional idea of where you belong, filled with family, comfort, and memories. A house becomes a home once someone lives there and grows attached to it. That's why an empty house is still a house, but not yet a home.
Why is home important to people?
Home offers safety, privacy, and a sense of belonging. It's where people rest, raise families, and feel most themselves, free from outside pressure. Psychologically, having a stable home supports wellbeing and identity, which is why losing one is so distressing and why the very idea of 'home' carries such deep emotional weight.
Can a place other than a house be called home?
Yes. Home is defined by belonging, not by building type. A flat, a caravan, a boat, or a single room can all be home. People also call their hometown, their country, or even a close community their home. Wherever someone feels they truly belong and can settle can rightly be called home.
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