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housemate

housemate

15 1.8
A person who lives in the same house and is not a family member or partner
  • noun
  • /ˈhaʊsˌmeɪt/
translation icon : compañero de piso
  • I promise I will be a good housemate.

So I guess I'm just one of the housemates now.

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Examples

  • My goal is to make the kitchen efficient because I (and my housemates) cook all the time.

    Blog text (8)
  • His housemate says he's got no credit card, no cell phone.

  • I found a potential housemate.

  • She is my housemate, so I talk to her every day.

  • My housemate, a single female, is in the process of trying to refinance her mortgage.

    Academic text (1996)
  • My freshman corridor housemates became my close and my lifelong friends.

  • In a moment of frustration, Emmet mentally explains to his Kenyan housemate: "I am sorry."

    Academic text (2018)
  • My housemate and I went grocery shopping together last weekend.

  • Having a considerate housemate can make sharing a living space much more enjoyable.

  • John introduced his housemate to his friends during the party.

Synonyms

roommate
vshousemate
  • US
611 1.1

A person who shares a house, apartment, or room with you

is about a non-relative living in the same house rather than sharing sleeping area
roomie
vshousemate
  • Informal
19 7.9

A person who shares a room or apartment with you

is the neutral term used for a non-relative in the same house
flatmate
vshousemate
  • UK
7 2.5

A person who shares a flat or apartment with other people

is someone who lives in a house rather than in an apartment
compañero
vshousemate
9.3

A person who shares a home or apartment with you

is a non-relative person living in the same house rather than a partner
cohabitant
vshousemate
4.8

A person who lives with others in the same home

is the everyday word for a non-relative who shares a house

How Close

spouse
272 1.0
partner
878 1.1
roommate
  • US
611 1.1
housemate
15 1.8
lodger
  • UK
5 3.4

Surface Forms

housemate singular
housemates plural

Morphology

housemate = house + mate (transparent) = house + mate

The meaning is directly the combination of 'house' + 'mate' meaning someone who shares a house.

Etymology

The word housemate is made of house ('home') and mate ('friend' or 'companion'), like the word roommate. So a housemate is someone who lives in the same house as you but is not a relative or partner.