housemate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumNeutral, informal to semi-formal. Common in everyday speech, housing advertisements, and legal tenancy agreements.
Quick answer
What does “housemate” mean?
A person with whom one shares a house or flat, but who is not a romantic partner or family member.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person with whom one shares a house or flat, but who is not a romantic partner or family member.
The term can refer to any co-occupant of a dwelling, sometimes used interchangeably with 'flatmate' in British contexts, and 'roommate' in American contexts, though nuances exist regarding whether a bedroom is shared.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'housemate' is standard for sharing a house; 'flatmate' is used for sharing a flat. In the US, 'roommate' is the dominant term, even when bedrooms are separate, though 'housemate' is understood and used for clarity.
Connotations
Neutral in both varieties. In the US, using 'housemate' instead of 'roommate' can imply you have separate bedrooms.
Frequency
More common in UK English. In US English, 'roommate' is vastly more frequent.
Grammar
How to Use “housemate” in a Sentence
[have/get/find] + a + housemate[be/live] + housemates + with + PERSON[share] + a + house/flat + with + housemate(s)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “housemate” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We decided to housemate for our final year at uni to save money.
American English
- They're housemating in a three-bedroom downtown.
adjective
British English
- We had a minor housemate dispute over the washing-up rota.
American English
- The housemate dynamic changed when one of them got a pet.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in property management or tenant matching services.
Academic
Used in sociological studies on cohabitation and urban living.
Everyday
Very common in discussions about shared living arrangements, bills, and domestic life.
Technical
Used in tenancy law to denote a joint tenant or licensee.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “housemate”
- Using 'housemate' when you mean 'spouse' or 'partner'. Confusing it with 'houseman' (a junior doctor).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Traditionally, a 'roommate' shares a bedroom, while a 'housemate' shares a house/apartment but has a separate bedroom. In American English, 'roommate' is used for both situations. 'Housemate' is more precise for separate bedrooms.
It is technically accurate if you share a house, but it's unusual and would likely be used to deliberately downplay or avoid specifying the romantic nature of the relationship. 'Partner', 'boyfriend/girlfriend', or 'spouse' are more common.
It is neutral. It is acceptable in semi-formal contexts like rental agreements. In very formal legal documents, terms like 'co-tenant', 'joint tenant', or 'co-occupant' might be preferred.
You can say 'former housemate', 'ex-housemate', or 'old housemate'. 'Ex-housemate' is common and clear.
A person with whom one shares a house or flat, but who is not a romantic partner or family member.
Housemate: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhaʊsmeɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhaʊsmeɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Get on like a house on fire with one's housemate.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
HOUSE + MATE: Think of a 'mate' (friend/companion) you share a 'house' with.
Conceptual Metaphor
SHARING A DOMESTIC SPACE IS A FORM OF ALLIANCE/PARTNERSHIP.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'housemate' LEAST likely to be used?