hostelling: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumInformal
Quick answer
What does “hostelling” mean?
The activity of travelling cheaply and staying in hostels, especially in the context of youth travel.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The activity of travelling cheaply and staying in hostels, especially in the context of youth travel.
Can refer broadly to the culture or experience of budget travel involving hostel stays, often implying backpacking, social interaction with other travellers, and a less formal approach to tourism.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The spelling: 'hostelling' (UK) vs. 'hosteling' (US). The concept is equally understood, but the activity may be more culturally ingrained and lexically common in the UK/Europe, where intercity hostel travel is a classic 'gap year' activity.
Connotations
UK: Strongly associated with student gap years, Interrail travel, and budget European exploration. US: May more specifically imply backpacking, often in national parks or on longer trips like down the Pacific Coast.
Frequency
More frequent in UK English due to the spelling distinction and perhaps the cultural prevalence of the activity.
Grammar
How to Use “hostelling” in a Sentence
[Subject] + is/are/was/were + hostelling + [Prepositional Phrase (around/in)][Subject] + go/gone + hostellingVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hostelling” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They spent the summer hostelling across the Balkans.
- I much prefer hostelling to staying in impersonal hotels.
American English
- After graduation, she plans on hosteling down the coast of South America.
- We're hosteling to save money for longer travel.
adverb
British English
- They travelled hostelling-style, with just a rucksack each.
American English
- We toured the country hosteling, which was both cheap and fun.
adjective
British English
- He packed his hostelling essentials: a padlock and a quick-dry towel.
- They joined a hostelling association for discounts.
American English
- She bought a new hosteling backpack for the trip.
- The hosteling crowd in the common room was very international.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially in tourism marketing: 'catering to the hostelling market'.
Academic
Rare, perhaps in tourism studies or sociology papers discussing travel behaviours.
Everyday
Common in travel conversations among young people or budget travellers. 'We're hostelling through Italy this summer.'
Technical
Not applicable.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hostelling”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hostelling”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hostelling”
- Misspelling: 'hosteling' in UK contexts or 'hostelling' in US contexts.
- Using it to mean 'working as a hostel host/receptionist'. That would be 'working in a hostel' or 'hostel work'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is most common among youth and students, but hostels welcome travellers of all ages, and 'hostelling' as an activity is enjoyed by budget-conscious travellers of any age.
They are highly related. 'Backpacking' emphasises the mode of travel (carrying a backpack, often overland). 'Hostelling' emphasises the type of accommodation (hostels). One often implies the other, but you could go backpacking and camp, or go hostelling while using other luggage.
Both are correct, but 'hostelling' is the standard British English spelling, while 'hosteling' is standard American English.
Yes, informally. For example: 'We hostelled across New Zealand.' However, more common phrases are 'go hostelling' or use it as a noun/gerund: 'We did a lot of hostelling.'
The activity of travelling cheaply and staying in hostels, especially in the context of youth travel.
Hostelling is usually informal in register.
Hostelling: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɒs.təl.ɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɑː.stəl.ɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “See the world on a shoestring (related concept)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a HOSTel + the -ING of 'travellING'. It's the DOING of staying in hostels.
Conceptual Metaphor
TRAVEL IS A JOURNEY (OF DISCOVERY) + BUDGET TRAVEL IS A SIMPLE/AUTHENTIC LIFE.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the BEST definition of 'hostelling'?