residence
11 synonyms for residence, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The place where someone lives, especially a substantial or official home.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use residence
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
official residence
take up residence
place of residence
More formal than "home"; used for official homes, legal status, or upscale housing.
Etymology
From Old French residence, from Medieval Latin residentia, from Latin resideo, "to remain behind".
Full origin of residence →Frequently asked questions
What does “residence” mean?
The word “residence” means the place where someone lives, especially a substantial or official home.
How do you pronounce “residence”?
“Residence” is pronounced REHZ-ih-duhns (/ˈɹɛz.ɪ.dəns/ in IPA).
How do you use “residence” in a sentence?
Here is “residence” used in a sentence: “The ambassador's official residence is in the capital.”
What part of speech is “residence”?
“Residence” is a noun.
Where does the word “residence” come from?
The word “residence” comes from Medieval Latin. From Old French residence, from Medieval Latin residentia, from Latin resideo, "to remain behind".
Is “residence” a common word?
“Residence” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “residence” have?
“Residence” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the place where someone lives, especially a substantial or official home.
What is the difference between 'residence' and 'resident'?
'Residence' is the place where someone lives, or the fact of living there. 'Resident' is the person who lives in that place. In short, a resident occupies a residence.
What is the difference between 'residence' and 'home'?
Both refer to where someone lives, but 'residence' is more formal and often implies a substantial, official, or grand house, such as an ambassador's residence. 'Home' is the everyday, warmer word and carries a sense of belonging rather than just location.
Is 'residence' a formal or informal word?
'Residence' is formal and is common in legal, official, and administrative contexts, such as 'country of residence' or 'private residence'. In casual conversation, most people say 'house', 'home', or 'place' instead.
