noun
Uncommon
tenant
TEH-nuhnt
Tenant (noun) means someone who pays rent to live in or use a property owned by someone else. Example: “The landlord raised the rent, and the tenant threatened to move out.”
noun
1
Someone who pays rent to live in or use a property owned by someone else.
"The landlord raised the rent, and the tenant threatened to move out."
"Each tenant in the building shares the cost of maintaining the lobby."
"The new tenant signed the lease and collected her keys this morning."
verb
1
To occupy a property as a tenant.
"The flat above has been tenanted by the same family for a decade."
How to use tenant
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA person who rents a place to live or work from a landlord.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "tenet" (a core belief or principle) — they sound similar but are unrelated.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
a tenant's rights
evict a tenant
landlord and tenant
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Word forms
- Plural
- tenants
- Third person singular
- tenants
- Past tense
- tenanted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The landlord raised the rent, and the _____ threatened to move out.
Etymology
From Old French tenant, present participle of tenir ("to hold"), from Latin tenere ("to hold, keep").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for tenant
See all rhymes for tenant →Frequently asked questions
What does “tenant” mean?
The word “tenant” means someone who pays rent to live in or use a property owned by someone else. In plain terms, a person who rents a place to live or work from a landlord.
How do you pronounce “tenant”?
“Tenant” is pronounced TEH-nuhnt (/ˈtɛ.nənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “tenant” in a sentence?
Here is “tenant” used in a sentence: “The landlord raised the rent, and the tenant threatened to move out.”
What part of speech is “tenant”?
Depending on how it is used, “tenant” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “tenant” come from?
The word “tenant” comes from Latin. From Old French tenant, present participle of tenir ("to hold"), from Latin tenere ("to hold, keep").
Is “tenant” a common word?
“Tenant” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “tenant” have?
“Tenant” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: someone who pays rent to live in or use a property owned by someone else.
What is the difference between a tenant and a landlord?
A tenant is the person who pays rent to live in or use a property owned by someone else, while a landlord is the owner who receives that rent and grants the right to occupy the property. The relationship between them is typically governed by a lease or rental agreement.
What is the difference between a tenant and an owner-occupier?
A tenant rents and occupies a property without owning it, whereas an owner-occupier both owns and lives in their property. This distinction matters legally and financially, since tenants generally have different rights and responsibilities than owners.
Can "tenant" be used as a verb?
Yes, tenant can be used as a verb meaning to occupy a property as a tenant, as in "the flat is tenanted by a young family." This usage is less common than the noun form but appears in formal or legal writing about property.
