boarding house: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2neutral, slightly dated/formalinformal
Quick answer
What does “boarding house” mean?
A private house where paying guests are provided with accommodation and meals.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A private house where paying guests are provided with accommodation and meals.
A commercial establishment offering lodging and full board, typically in a family-style setting, often for longer-term residents such as students, workers, or travelers. Historically common before widespread hotels and apartment rentals.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is understood and used in both varieties. In the UK, 'bed and breakfast' (B&B) is a more common modern term for tourist accommodation, while 'boarding house' might refer to longer-term lodging. In the US, it's a clearly understood term but less common than 'rooming house' (which usually doesn't include meals) or 'B&B'.
Connotations
UK: Can evoke images of seaside towns or historical settings. US: May evoke early 20th-century urban living or temporary worker housing.
Frequency
Low frequency in contemporary use in both varieties, primarily found in historical contexts, literature, or describing specific older establishments.
Grammar
How to Use “boarding house” in a Sentence
[V] to stay/live/reside at/in a boarding house[N] boarding house + for + [students/workers][Adj] + boarding houseVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “boarding house” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- She took a room in a boarding house near the university for the term.
- The novelist described the bleak atmosphere of the seaside boarding house in winter.
American English
- He found a boarding house that catered to railroad workers.
- The old boarding house on Elm Street had seen better days.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in historical business contexts or small family-business discussions.
Academic
Used in historical, sociological, or literary studies describing living arrangements in the 19th/early 20th centuries.
Everyday
Understood but infrequently used. Might be used when describing past living situations or very specific current accommodations.
Technical
Not a technical term. May appear in zoning laws or hospitality regulations as a defined category.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “boarding house”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “boarding house”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “boarding house”
- Using it interchangeably with 'hotel' (boarding houses are smaller, more personal).
- Using 'boarding school' incorrectly for 'boarding house' (the former is an educational institution).
- Misspelling as 'bording house'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A boarding house typically implies longer-term residence (weeks, months), while a B&B is primarily for short-term tourists. The atmosphere and meal arrangements can be similar, but the intended duration of stay is the key distinction.
Yes, it is considered somewhat old-fashioned. While still understood and used, it strongly evokes the late 19th and early-to-mid 20th centuries. Modern equivalents are more likely to be called 'guest houses', 'B&Bs', or 'lodges'.
Traditionally, yes, it was a converted family home. The term implies a house-like setting. A large, purpose-built commercial building offering similar services would more likely be called a 'hostel', 'residential hotel', or 'lodging house'.
Historically, many had shared bathroom facilities. Modern boarding houses or those that have been renovated may offer private bathrooms, but the classic image involves shared amenities.
A private house where paying guests are provided with accommodation and meals.
Boarding house is usually neutral, slightly dated/formalinformal in register.
Boarding house: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɔːdɪŋ haʊs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbɔːrdɪŋ haʊs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “['Boarding house reach' (US, informal) – impolite stretching across the table to get food]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'board' as in 'room and board' (food and lodging). A 'boarding house' is a 'house' where you get both.
Conceptual Metaphor
HOUSE AS COMMERCIAL VESSEL (it holds and sustains paying guests).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the most characteristic feature of a traditional boarding house?