Macmillan Dictionary

Did you know?

Click any word in a definition or example to find the entry for that word

home

 - definition
 
 
 
Close

What are red words?

90% of the time, speakers of English use just 7,500 words in speech and writing. These words appear in red, and are graded with stars. One-star words are frequent, two-star words are more frequent, and three-star words are the most frequent.

Close

Thesaurus

The thesaurus of synonyms and related words is fully integrated into the dictionary entries. Click on the T button in an entry to review the synonyms and related words for that meaning.

more
noun American English pronunciation: home /hoʊm/ 
Word Forms
Close
singularhome
pluralhomes
Other entries for this word
 
  1. 1
    [countable/uncountable] the place where you live

    We go to a school close to our home.

    a child in need of a loving home

    at home:

    Peter isn't at home today.

    away from home:

    I hate being away from home too long.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of home
    1. a.
      [uncountable] the place where your parents live and where you grew up
      at home:

      He is 43 and still living at home.

      leave home (=permanently stop living with your parents):

      I left home when I was 18.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of home
    2. b.
      [uncountable] the country, state, or city where you live
      make something your home:

      We decided to make Jamaica our home.

      at home:

      a great opportunity in markets both at home and abroad

      back home (=in my state or country):

      Back home, the weather is much better.

      be home to:

      California is home to many vineyards.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of home
    3. c.
      [only before noun] relating to your home rather than your work

      a home computer

      home address/phone number:

      Write your home address at the top of your letter.

      home life (=family relationships):

      My home life is very important to me.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of home
    4. d.
      [only before noun] done, made, or experienced at home

      home cooking/shopping/banking

      home comforts

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of home
  2. 2
    [countable] a building for people to buy or rent

    One thousand new homes are being built in the area.

    There is a shortage of homes for rent.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of home
    1. a.
      a building where people who need special care can live and be cared for, for example an old-people's home or a children's home

      They didn't want to put their mother in a home.

      home for:

      a home for orphans

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of home
  4. 4
    [singular] the place where something first started or was first made
    home of:

    New Jersey is the home of professional basketball.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of home
  7. 7
    [countable] the place where a particular group of people or type of plant or animal lives
    home of:

    These wetlands are the home of a great variety of wildlife.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of home

phrases

See also

This is the American English definition of home. View British English definition of home.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to British English.

 

charticle

a news article that consists of a chart … and only has a small amount of text

BuzzWord Article

Word of the Day

electron

a part of an atom that moves around the nucleus (=centre) and has a negative electrical charge

Open Dictionary

never event

an event that should never occur in a healthcare setting …

add a word

Blog

A must for anyone with an interest in the changing face of language. The Macmillan Dictionary blog explores English as it is spoken around the world today.

global English and language change from our blog