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boarder

boarder

3.4
A person who pays to live and eat in another person's house
  • noun
  • /ˈbɔrdər/
translation icon : inquilino
  • The boarder enjoyed his meals with the family and became friends with everyone in the house.

Examples

  • AND YOU AND GRANDMA AND ME AND ALL THE BOARDERS COULD KEEP LIVING JUST LIKE BEFORE.

    Hey Arnold! The Movie (2002)

  • As a boarder in the old mansion, she appreciated the unique decor of her bedroom and the charming common areas.

  • After moving in, the boarder quickly settled into the household routine and contributed to the chores.

Synonyms

tenant
vsboarder
248 3.0

A person who rents a house or apartment from a landlord

pays for room and meals rather than renting an entire property
renter
vsboarder
41 1.8

A person who pays to use a house, car, or other property owned by someone else

pays for room and meals rather than using property like vehicles
lodger
vsboarder
  • UK
5 3.4

A person who pays to live in a room in someone else's house and shares the kitchen and bathroom

pays to live and receive meals as part of the arrangement

Compounds

day boarder
  • UK
6.8

A student who eats at school during the day but goes home to sleep

How Long

tenant
248 3.0
boarder
3.4
house guest
14 2.1
visitor
908 1.0
overnight
11 2.5

Surface Forms

boarder singular
boarders plural

Morphology

boarder = board (semi-transparent) = board + er

The word is formed regularly from 'board' plus '-er', but the relevant sense of 'board' is a specialized one meaning meals and lodging.

Etymology

Boarder comes from the word board, meaning 'meals' (as in 'room and board'). A boarder is someone who pays to live in a house and eat with the family, so they are literally 'one who takes board'.