neighbour

The word “neighbour” means a person who lives close by, especially next door. In plain terms, someone who lives close by, or to be positioned next to something.

“Neighbour” is pronounced NAY-buh (/ˈneɪbɚ/ in IPA).

Here is “neighbour” used in a sentence: “Our neighbour kindly watered the plants while we were away.”

Words with a similar meaning to “neighbour” include bydweller, fellow human being, fellow and fellow man.

The opposite of “neighbour” — its antonyms — are stranger and foreigner.

Depending on how it is used, “neighbour” can be a noun and a verb.

The word “neighbour” comes from Old English. From Old English neahgebur, literally "near-dweller," from neah ("near") + gebur ("dweller, farmer").

“Neighbour” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

Neighbour and neighbor are the same word spelled differently: neighbour is the British, Australian, and Canadian spelling, while neighbor is standard in American English. Both refer to a person who lives close by, especially next door, and are pronounced identically.

A neighbour is defined by proximity, someone who lives close by, especially next door, whereas a friend is defined by a personal bond regardless of where they live. Someone can be a neighbour without being a friend, and a friend does not need to live nearby.

Yes, neighbour can function as a verb meaning to be located next to or close to something, as in describing one property neighbouring another. This usage is common in formal, descriptive, or geographic writing.

A good neighbour describes someone who lives close by and behaves considerately toward those around them, such as keeping noise down or helping out when needed. The phrase is often used to describe both individual behaviour and broader diplomatic or community relations.