domestic
duh-MEHS-tihk
Domestic (adj) means relating to the home or family life. Example: “Cooking and cleaning are domestic chores that everyone shares in our house.”
adj
1
Relating to the home or family life.
"Cooking and cleaning are domestic chores that everyone shares in our house."
"Domestic life suited him better than constant travel for work."
"They settled into a quiet domestic routine after the wedding."
2
Occurring or made within one's own country, as opposed to abroad.
"Domestic flights were cheaper than international ones this month."
"The shop only sells domestic goods, nothing imported from overseas."
"She prefers domestic holidays because they involve no passport checks."
noun
1
A dispute or violent incident within a household, especially between partners.
"Neighbours said they had heard a domestic through the thin wall again."
"Officers are often called to a domestic that turns out to be a loud argument."
"Police were called to a domestic at the address late last night."
How to use domestic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRelating to home life, or to activity within one's own country.
Common pairings
domestic violence
domestic flight
domestic affairs
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Word forms
- Plural
- domestics
- Comparative
- more domestic
- Superlative
- most domestic
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Cooking and cleaning are _____ chores that everyone shares in our house.
Etymology
From Latin domesticus, from domus, "house, home."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
undomestic
foreign
Related words
Rhymes for domestic
See all rhymes for domestic →Frequently asked questions
What does “domestic” mean?
The word “domestic” means relating to the home or family life. In plain terms, relating to home life, or to activity within one's own country.
How do you pronounce “domestic”?
“Domestic” is pronounced duh-MEHS-tihk (/dəˈmɛs.tɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “domestic” in a sentence?
Here is “domestic” used in a sentence: “They settled into a quiet domestic routine after the wedding.”
What part of speech is “domestic”?
Depending on how it is used, “domestic” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “domestic” come from?
The word “domestic” comes from Latin. From Latin domesticus, from domus, "house, home.".
Is “domestic” a common word?
“Domestic” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “domestic” have?
“Domestic” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to the home or family life.
What is the difference between domestic and foreign?
When describing a country rather than the home, domestic means belonging to your own nation, while foreign means from or relating to another. A domestic flight stays within one country; a foreign one crosses borders. In this sense the pair works much like internal versus international, or home versus abroad.
What are domestic animals?
Domestic animals are those kept by people in or around the home and farm, rather than living wild. They have been tamed or bred over generations to live alongside humans — dogs, cats, cattle, horses, and chickens are typical examples. The related verb domesticate describes the process of making a wild species tame.
What is an example of domestic in the home sense?
In its household meaning, domestic describes anything to do with home and family life: domestic chores like cleaning and cooking, domestic appliances such as a washing machine, or a domestic setting in a story. It can also describe someone's home life, as in a happy domestic routine or domestic bliss.
Does domestic always relate to the home?
No. Domestic has two everyday senses. The first, and the one defined here, relates to the home and family. The second relates to your own country as opposed to abroad — domestic politics, domestic trade, domestic tourism. Context usually makes clear which meaning is intended, so the word rarely causes confusion.
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