home office: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

It is typically written as two separate words when used as a common noun (e.g., 'a home office'). It is hyphenated when used as a compound modifier before a noun (e.g., 'home-office setup'). The UK government department is always written as two capitalized words: 'the Home Office'.

Informally, especially in American English, it is sometimes used as a verb (e.g., 'I home office on Fridays'), but this is considered non-standard. Preferred verbs are 'work from home', 'telecommute', or 'remote work'.

The most significant difference is that in British English, 'the Home Office' (capitalized) is a major government department. In American English, the term has no governmental meaning and refers solely to a workspace at home or the practice of working from there.

In the United States, taxpayers who use part of their home exclusively and regularly for business may be eligible for a 'home office deduction' on their federal income tax return.

A room or designated area within a person's home used for work purposes.

Home office is usually neutral to formal in register.

Home office: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhəʊm ˈɒfɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhoʊm ˈɑːfɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.