home

¹home

noun \ˈhōm\

Definition of HOME

1

a : one's place of residence : domicile

b : house

2

: the social unit formed by a family living together

3

a : a familiar or usual setting : congenial environment; also : the focus of one's domestic attention <home is where the heart is>

b : habitat

4

a : a place of origin <salmon returning to their home to spawn>; also : one's own country <having troubles at home and abroad>

b : headquarters 2 <home of the dance company>

5

: an establishment providing residence and care for people with special needs <homes for the elderly>

6

: the objective in various games; especially : home plate

— at home

1

: relaxed and comfortable : at ease <felt completely at home on the stage>

2

: in harmony with the surroundings

3

: on familiar ground : knowledgeable <teachers at home in their subject fields>

Examples of HOME

1. Right now his home is a small apartment.
2. People are concerned about protecting their homes.
3. They have a second home on the lake.
4. There's no place like home.
5. I must have left my notes at home.
6. She made a good home for her husband and children.
7. The islands are home to many species of birds.
8. Can you find homes for these files in your office?

Origin of HOME

Middle English hom, from Old English hām village, home; akin to Old High German heim home, Lithuanian šeima family, servants, Sanskrit kṣema habitable, kṣeti he dwells, Greek ktizein to inhabit

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to HOME

Synonyms

abode, diggings, domicile, dwelling, fireside, habitation, hearth, hearthstone, house, lodging, pad, place, quarters, residence, roof

Related Words

accommodations, housing, nest, residency, shelter; bungalow, cabin, casita, chalet, cottage; duplex, ranch, ranch house, saltbox, semi [chiefly British], split level, townhome, town house, tract house, triplex; apartment, apartment house, condominium, flat, tenement, tenement house, walk-up; penthouse, salon, suite; barracks, billet, boardinghouse, dorm, dormitory, lodging house, lodgment (or lodgement), room(s), rooming house; castle, château, countryseat, estate, hall, manor, manor house, mansion, palace, villa; farmhouse, grange, hacienda, homestead; double-wide, houseboat, house trailer, mobile home, motor home, recreational vehicle, trailer; hermitage, manse, parsonage, rectory, vicarage; hooch (or hootch) [slang], hovel, hut, hutch, shack, shanty

Rhymes with HOME

chrome, comb, combe, dome, foam, gloam, gnome, loam, mome, nome, ohm, om, pome, roam, Rom, Rome, tome

²home

adverb

Definition of HOME

1

: to or at one's home <go home> <stayed home all day>

2

a : to a final, closed, or ultimate position <drive a nail home>

b : to or at an ultimate objective (as a goal or finish line)

3

: to a vital sensitive core <the truth struck home>

— home free

: out of jeopardy : in a comfortable position with respect to some objective

Examples of HOME

1. She called home to say she would be late for dinner.
2. He's sending money home from a job overseas.
3. She is on her way home.
4. It's great to be back home.
5. I can't wait to come home.
6. He used a hammer to drive the nail home.

First Known Use of HOME

before 12th century

³home

adjective

Definition of HOME

1

: of, relating to, or being a home, place of origin, or base of operations <home office>

2

: prepared, done, or designed for use in a home <home remedies> <home cooking> <a home videotape system>

3

: operating or occurring in a home area <the home team> <home games>

Examples of HOME

1. She has a happy home life.
2. Please give us your home phone number.
3. What is your home address?
4. The team opens its home season in just two weeks.

First Known Use of HOME

1552

Other Household Terms

cruet, curiosity, duvet, fiasco, sham, taper, valance, whatnot

⁴home

verb

homedhom·ing

Definition of HOME

intransitive verb

1

: to go or return home

2

of an animal : to return accurately to one's home or natal area from a distance

3

: to proceed to or toward a source of radiated energy used as a guide <missiles home in on radar>

4

: to proceed or direct attention toward an objective <science is homing in on the mysterious human process — Samuel Glucksberg>

transitive verb

: to send to or provide with a home

First Known Use of HOME

1765

Home

biographical name \ˈhyüm, ˈhōm\

Definition of HOME

Sir Alec Douglas- 1903–1995 British prime min. (1963–64)

Home

biographical name

Definition of HOME

William Douglas- 1912–1992 bro. of prec. British dram.