noun
Uncommon
dwelling
DWEHL-ihng
Dwelling (noun) means a house or other place where someone lives. Example: “The old cottage had been a dwelling for over two centuries.”
noun
1
A house or other place where someone lives.
"The old house served as a dwelling for Albert."
"The old cottage had been a dwelling for over two centuries."
"The council inspected each dwelling in the street for damp."
"They turned the old barn into a comfortable dwelling."
"He turned back to the scene before him and the enormous new block of council dwellings. The design was some way after Corbusier but the block was built up on plinths and resembled an Atlantic liner swimming diagonally across the site."
— Margery Allingham, Foreword: The Turk Street Mile (1963)
How to use dwelling
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA formal word for a home or place of residence.
When to use it
Common in legal, official, or formal writing ("dwelling unit," "single-family dwelling") rather than everyday speech.
Common pairings
human dwelling
dwelling place
single-family dwelling
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Word forms
- Plural
- dwellings
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old cottage had been a _____ for over two centuries.
Etymology
From Middle English dwellynge, the noun form of "dwell," originally meaning "delay" or "abode."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for dwelling
telling
welling
selling
yelling
felling
spelling
swelling
smelling
shelling
gruelling
modelling
expelling
See all rhymes for dwelling →
Frequently asked questions
What does “dwelling” mean?
The word “dwelling” means a house or other place where someone lives. In plain terms, a formal word for a home or place of residence.
How do you pronounce “dwelling”?
“Dwelling” is pronounced DWEHL-ihng (/ˈdwɛl.ɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “dwelling” in a sentence?
Here is “dwelling” used in a sentence: “The old cottage had been a dwelling for over two centuries.”
What part of speech is “dwelling”?
“Dwelling” is a noun.
Where does the word “dwelling” come from?
The word “dwelling” comes from Middle English. From Middle English dwellynge, the noun form of "dwell," originally meaning "delay" or "abode.".
Is “dwelling” a common word?
“Dwelling” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between a dwelling and a house?
House usually refers specifically to a standalone building designed for a family, while dwelling is a broader, more formal term covering any place someone lives, including flats, houses, and other residences. Dwelling is often used in legal, official, or census contexts rather than everyday conversation.
Is dwelling a formal word?
Yes, dwelling has a somewhat formal or legal tone compared to everyday words like home or house. It commonly appears in property law, insurance documents, real estate listings, and official housing statistics.
What is a dwelling place?
A dwelling place is simply another way of saying a place where someone lives, combining the noun dwelling with place for emphasis or a more literary effect. It is often used in older or formal writing rather than casual speech.
