roommate
ROO-mayt
Roommate (noun) means a person who shares a room, apartment, or house with someone else, without necessarily being related or a romantic partner. Example: “Her college roommate became one of her closest friends.”
noun
1
A person who shares a room, apartment, or house with someone else, without necessarily being related or a romantic partner.
"Her college roommate became one of her closest friends."
"We split the rent evenly between three roommates."
"My roommate always leaves her washing up in the sink for days."
How to use roommate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone you share living space with.
Common pairings
college roommate
find a roommate
roommate agreement
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Word forms
- Plural
- roommates
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Her college _____ became one of her closest friends.
Etymology
A straightforward compound of room and mate, first used for people who shared living quarters, such as students or soldiers.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for roommate
See all rhymes for roommate →Frequently asked questions
What does “roommate” mean?
The word “roommate” means a person who shares a room, apartment, or house with someone else, without necessarily being related or a romantic partner. In plain terms, someone you share living space with.
How do you pronounce “roommate”?
“Roommate” is pronounced ROO-mayt (/ˈɹu(m)ˌmeɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “roommate” in a sentence?
Here is “roommate” used in a sentence: “Her college roommate became one of her closest friends.”
What part of speech is “roommate”?
“Roommate” is a noun.
Is “roommate” a common word?
“Roommate” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between a roommate and a housemate?
A roommate specifically shares a single room with another person, while housemate more broadly means someone sharing a house without necessarily sharing a bedroom. In everyday use, however, roommate is often used loosely to mean anyone sharing living space, including a whole apartment or house.
Does roommate imply a romantic relationship?
No, a roommate is someone who shares a room, apartment, or house without necessarily being related or a romantic partner. The term describes a living arrangement, not a relationship status.
Is roommate the same as flatmate?
They describe similar living arrangements — someone who shares accommodation with another person — but flatmate is the more common British English term, while roommate is more widely used in American English.
