neighbour
NAY-buh
Also spelled Neighbor (US spelling)
Neighbour (noun) means a person who lives close by, especially next door. Example: “Our neighbour kindly watered the plants while we were away.”
noun
1
A person who lives close by, especially next door.
"Our neighbour kindly watered the plants while we were away."
"She's lived next to the same neighbours for thirty years."
"Our new neighbour introduced herself with a plate of homemade biscuits."
verb
1
To be located next to or close to something.
"The village neighbours a large forest reserve."
"Our school neighbours the park, so we play outside at lunchtime."
"Several small farms neighbour the river on the northern side."
How to use neighbour
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who lives close by, or to be positioned next to something.
UK vs US
British/Commonwealth spelling; American English uses neighbor.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
next-door neighbour
good neighbour
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Word forms
- Plural
- neighbours
- Third person singular
- neighbours
- Past tense
- neighboured
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Our _____ kindly watered the plants while we were away.
Etymology
From Old English neahgebur, literally "near-dweller," from neah ("near") + gebur ("dweller, farmer").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for neighbour
See all rhymes for neighbour →Frequently asked questions
What does “neighbour” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “neighbour”?
“Neighbour” is pronounced NAY-buh (/ˈneɪbɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “neighbour” in a sentence?
Here is “neighbour” used in a sentence: “Our neighbour kindly watered the plants while we were away.”
What is another word for “neighbour”?
Words with a similar meaning to “neighbour” include bydweller, fellow human being, fellow and fellow man.
What is the opposite of “neighbour”?
The opposite of “neighbour” — its antonyms — are stranger and foreigner.
What part of speech is “neighbour”?
Depending on how it is used, “neighbour” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “neighbour” come from?
The word “neighbour” comes from Old English. From Old English neahgebur, literally "near-dweller," from neah ("near") + gebur ("dweller, farmer").
Is “neighbour” a common word?
“Neighbour” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between neighbour and neighbor?
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.
What is the difference between a neighbour and a friend?
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.
Can neighbour be used as a verb?
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.
What is a good neighbour policy?
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.
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