home-school: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Educational
Quick answer
What does “home-school” mean?
To educate one's children at home rather than sending them to a conventional school.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To educate one's children at home rather than sending them to a conventional school.
The practice of educating children at home, typically by parents or tutors. Can also function as an adjective describing a child educated in this way.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is widely used and understood in both varieties. The hyphenated form is slightly more common in formal British writing. The adjective 'home-educated' is a preferred, more formal term in the UK, especially in official contexts.
Connotations
In the UK, the term can sometimes carry a connotation of an alternative lifestyle choice. In parts of the US, it is often associated with religious or pedagogical beliefs, though the practice is diverse.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in US English due to a larger population of home-schooling families and associated legal frameworks.
Grammar
How to Use “home-school” in a Sentence
[Parents] homeschool [their children][Parents] homeschool [NP]to be homeschooled (passive)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “home-school” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They decided to home-school their twins after moving to a remote area.
- A growing number of families are choosing to home-educate.
American English
- They homeschool their children for religious reasons.
- She has been homeschooling for five years now.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not typically used.
Academic
Used in educational research, sociology, and policy discussions.
Everyday
Common in discussions about family, education choices, and parenting.
Technical
Used in legal and educational policy contexts regarding compulsory education laws.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “home-school”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “home-school”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “home-school”
- Using 'home-school' as a noun for the child (correct: 'homeschooled child' or 'homeschooler'). Misspelling as one unhyphenated word in formal writing where style guides require the hyphen.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is commonly found as one word (homeschool) or hyphenated (home-school). The hyphenated form is often preferred in formal British English, while the one-word form is dominant in American English. Dictionaries vary, so consistency is key.
Homeschooling is the broad term for parent-led education at home, often following a structured curriculum. Unschooling is a specific philosophy within homeschooling that emphasizes child-led, interest-based learning without a fixed curriculum.
Not directly. The child is a 'homeschooled child', 'homeschooler', or 'home-educated pupil'. Using 'home-school' as a noun for the person is incorrect.
Yes, in many systems they can take standardized exams (like GCSEs in the UK or the GED in the US) as private candidates. Regulations vary by country and state.
To educate one's children at home rather than sending them to a conventional school.
Home-school is usually formal, educational in register.
Home-school: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhəʊm skuːl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhoʊm skuːl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The school of hard knocks (idiom for life experience, not related)”
- “To take school home with you (idiom for worrying about work, not related)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a HOME being the new SCHOOL building. Instead of a bus, the 'commute' is to the kitchen table.
Conceptual Metaphor
EDUCATION IS A LOCATION (The location of education is shifted from an institution to the domestic sphere).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the most accurate description of 'to home-school'?