lodger

noun

lodg·​er ˈlä-jər How to pronounce lodger (audio)
: roomer

Example Sentences

the mysterious lodger slept all day and only went out at night
Recent Examples on the Web That would be our gastrointestinal lodger, Escherichia coli, the little bug that helped build modern biology and launch the entire biotechnology industry. Carl Zimmer, Discover Magazine, 24 May 2011 The other abbreviations stood for child, parent, grandchild, other relative, lodger, servant, other, and inmate. WIRED, 25 Aug. 2022 When their contractors arrived in the spring of 2021, the family moved upstairs, camping out on the upper floors and using the lodger’s kitchen. Ruth Bloomfield, WSJ, 7 June 2022 Meanwhile, Philip’s mother Myra rants about the immorality of Liam’s mother having shacked up with their lodger. Claire Messud, Harper’s Magazine , 25 May 2022 There were all these people that came into our lives constantly—through a door, out the back door, this lodger, that person…. Jay Cheshes, WSJ, 9 Dec. 2020 For now, Collins, who is divorced, has taken a lodger in her home to generate extra income. John Detrixhe, Quartz, 3 July 2020 One temporary-housing camp is offering free food to attract lodgers, and trailer parks are emptying. Clifford Krauss, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2020 Among the lodgers are Franklin W.H. Burke II (Marc Kudisch), his wife Laura (Luba Mason) and their son Elias (Todd Almond), a rangy adult with the mind of a child, and no sense of his own strength. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Mar. 2020 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lodger.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1596, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lodger was in 1596

Dictionary Entries Near lodger

Cite this Entry

“Lodger.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lodger. Accessed 31 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

lodger

noun
lodg·​er ˈläj-ər How to pronounce lodger (audio)
: one that lodges
especially : one that occupies a rented room in another's house

Legal Definition

lodger

noun
lodg·​er ˈlä-jər How to pronounce lodger (audio)
: a person who occupies a rented room in another's house
specifically : a person who by agreement with the owner of a house acquires no property, interest, or possession therein but only the right to occupy a designated room or area that remains in the owner's legal possession

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