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noun A1 Beginner Common

Neighbor

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Also spelled neighbour (UK spelling)

Neighbor (noun) means a person who lives next door to you or nearby, especially in the same street or building. Example: “Our new neighbor introduced herself with a plate of cookies.”

noun
1
A person who lives next door to you or nearby, especially in the same street or building.
"Our new neighbor introduced herself with a plate of cookies."
"He borrowed a ladder from his neighbor down the street."
2
A country, place, or thing positioned close to or bordering another.
"Canada is the United States' neighbor to the north."
"The two farms were neighbors, separated only by a low fence."
verb
1
To be located next to or border something.
"The bakery neighbors a small park."
"Their property neighbors a nature reserve."

How to use Neighbor

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone (or something) that lives or sits right next to you.

UK vs US

British English spells it "neighbour"; American English drops the u to give "neighbor."

Easily confused with
neighbour →
Common pairings
next-door neighbor good neighbor neighbor dispute neighboring country
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Word forms

Plural
Neighbors
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Our new _____ introduced herself with a plate of cookies.

Etymology

From Old English nēahgebūr, literally "near dweller" — a combination of nēah ("near") and gebūr ("farmer, dweller"). It also exists as an English surname with the same root.

Origin: Old English

Synonyms

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neighbour

Related words

neighbour

Frequently asked questions

What does “Neighbor” mean?
The word “Neighbor” means a person who lives next door to you or nearby, especially in the same street or building. In plain terms, someone (or something) that lives or sits right next to you.
How do you use “Neighbor” in a sentence?
Here is “Neighbor” used in a sentence: “Our new neighbor introduced herself with a plate of cookies.”
What part of speech is “Neighbor”?
Depending on how it is used, “Neighbor” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “Neighbor” come from?
The word “Neighbor” comes from Old English. From Old English nēahgebūr, literally "near dweller" — a combination of nēah ("near") and gebūr ("farmer, dweller"). It also exists as an English surname with the same root.
Is “Neighbor” a common word?
“Neighbor” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “Neighbor” have?
“Neighbor” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who lives next door to you or nearby, especially in the same street or building.
What is the difference between neighbor and neighbour?
They are the same word with different spellings: 'neighbor' is the American spelling, while 'neighbour' is standard in British and other Commonwealth English. The meaning is identical.
What is the difference between a neighbor and a roommate?
A neighbor lives near you, such as next door or in the same building, but in a separate home, while a roommate shares the same home or room with you. Neighbors keep their own separate households.
Can a country be called a neighbor?
Yes, in its second sense neighbor can mean a country, place, or thing positioned close to or bordering another, as in 'Canada is a neighbor of the United States.' This use extends the idea of nearness beyond people.

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