residence
REHZ-ih-duhns
Residence (noun) means the place where someone lives, especially a substantial or official home. Example: “The ambassador's official residence is in the capital.”
noun
1
The place where someone lives, especially a substantial or official home.
"The ambassador's official residence is in the capital."
"They bought a summer residence by the coast."
"The family's grand residence has twelve bedrooms and a long drive."
2
The state or fact of living in a particular place.
"He took up residence in Paris after retiring."
"Proof of residence is needed before you can join the local library."
"Her residence in the village lasted more than ten years."
How to use residence
Learner’s notes
When to use it
More formal than "home"; used for official homes, legal status, or upscale housing.
Common pairings
official residence
take up residence
place of residence
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Word forms
- Plural
- residences
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The ambassador's official _____ is in the capital.
Etymology
From Old French residence, from Medieval Latin residentia, from Latin resideo, "to remain behind".
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for residence
See all rhymes for 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.
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