hostel
B1Neutral to Informal
Definition
Meaning
A budget accommodation facility, often providing shared dormitory-style rooms and communal facilities, typically used by travelers, backpackers, or students.
Can refer to a supervised, inexpensive lodging house for young people on holiday, or historically/institutionally, a place providing shelter and support for specific groups (e.g., the homeless, refugees).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily associated with budget travel and temporary accommodation. Implies shared social spaces and basic amenities. Distinct from 'hotel' in terms of price, privacy, and services.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'hostel' strongly implies youth hostel (YHA) culture. In the US, it can also be associated more broadly with low-cost lodgings, including some for the homeless or migrant workers, though 'youth hostel' is also common.
Connotations
UK: Strong association with hiking, cycling, and budget travel. US: Slightly broader, can sometimes carry a neutral-to-slightly negative connotation depending on context (e.g., 'homeless hostel').
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in UK English due to the entrenched youth hostel network and culture.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
stay at a hostelcheck into a hostelhostel for students/travelersrun/manage a hostelVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Hostel hopping (traveling from one hostel to another)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might appear in tourism/travel industry reports discussing budget accommodation sectors.
Academic
Rare. Could appear in sociological studies of travel, tourism, or homelessness.
Everyday
Common in travel planning, holiday recounts, and among student/backpacker communities.
Technical
Used in urban planning or social services referring to shelters (e.g., 'emergency hostel').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We decided to hostel our way across Europe to save money.
American English
- They're hosteling through South America for six months.
adjective
British English
- The hostel experience is part of the adventure.
American English
- She packed her hostel essentials: a lock and a quick-dry towel.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We stayed in a cheap hostel in London.
- The hostel has a big kitchen.
- I met travellers from five different countries at the hostel.
- Booking a hostel in advance is a good idea during summer.
- Despite its budget price, the hostel boasted a rooftop bar with stunning views.
- Hostelling allows you to stretch your travel budget considerably.
- The municipal authority plans to convert the old building into a hostel for the homeless.
- The rise of boutique hostels is blurring the line between budget and mid-range accommodation.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'hostel' as a 'host' for a 'tell' (story) – a place where travelers gather to tell stories.
Conceptual Metaphor
A HOSTEL IS A COMMUNAL HUB (focus on shared experience over luxury).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'гостиница' (hotel). The closer Russian equivalent is 'хостел' (a direct borrowing) or 'общежитие' (but this is more for students/long-term).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'hostel' to mean a high-end hotel. Pronouncing it as /hoʊˈstɛl/ (like 'host' + 'el'). Confusing 'hostel' with 'hostile' in spelling/pronunciation.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST likely description of a typical hostel?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A hostel typically offers shared dormitory rooms and communal facilities (kitchens, lounges) at a low cost, emphasising social interaction. A hotel offers private rooms with en-suite bathrooms and more services (e.g., daily cleaning, room service) at a higher price.
Most established hostels are safe, offering lockers for valuables and secure access. Safety varies by location and specific hostel, so reading recent reviews and checking security features (like lockers and 24-hour reception) is essential.
Yes, many hostels offer private family rooms in addition to dorms. It's always best to check in advance and book a private room if travelling with children.
While 'youth hostels' traditionally had age limits, most modern hostels welcome travellers of all ages. Some party-focused hostels may have minimum age restrictions (e.g., 18+).
Collections
Part of a collection
Travel Vocabulary
A2 · 50 words · Words for getting around, booking trips and visiting new places.