lodgings: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal / Neutral
Quick answer
What does “lodgings” mean?
Rooms or a room rented out to live in, typically temporarily.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Rooms or a room rented out to live in, typically temporarily.
A place of temporary residence; rented accommodation, often implying a room in a shared house or a modest, non-hotel place to stay.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common in UK English. In US English, 'lodgings' can sound somewhat formal or old-fashioned; 'a place to stay', 'rented room(s)', or 'apartment' are more frequent.
Connotations
UK: Neutral to slightly formal term for rented rooms. US: Often implies temporary, modest, or boarding-house style accommodation, can sound quaint.
Frequency
High frequency in UK formal/legal contexts and older literature. Moderate to low frequency in contemporary US English.
Grammar
How to Use “lodgings” in a Sentence
find + lodgings + in + [location]take + lodgings + at + [place]live + in + lodgingslook for + lodgingsVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “lodgings” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She is lodging with a family in Brighton.
- The students lodged in cheap digs near the university.
American English
- He lodged with relatives for the summer.
- They lodged at a small inn for the night.
adjective
British English
- The lodging house was full.
- He paid his lodging fees weekly.
American English
- She found a lodging place through an agency.
- They had lodging arrangements for the interns.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in formal relocation packages: 'The company will assist in finding temporary lodgings.'
Academic
Used in historical/sociological texts discussing housing: 'Victorian workers often lived in crowded lodgings.'
Everyday
Formal everyday use, especially in UK: 'I need to find new lodgings for the semester.'
Technical
Can appear in legal or tenancy agreements specifying the type of let.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “lodgings”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “lodgings”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “lodgings”
- Using singular 'lodging' to mean the place (incorrect). 'Lodging' is the process/action.
- Using it for luxury or permanent accommodation.
- Misspelling as 'logdings'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a plural noun, always used with plural verb forms (e.g., 'The lodgings are comfortable'). There is no singular form 'a lodging' to mean a place.
'Accommodation' is a more general, uncountable term for a place to live. 'Lodgings' specifically implies rented rooms, often in someone else's house, and has a more temporary or modest feel.
It is neutral to formal, especially in modern American English. In British English, it is still used in neutral contexts, though alternatives like 'a place to live' or 'rented room' are common in casual speech.
Typically, no. 'Lodgings' implies a more homely, non-hotel setting like a rented room, boarding house, or guesthouse. Hotels are just called 'hotels' or 'hotel rooms'.
Rooms or a room rented out to live in, typically temporarily.
Lodgings: in British English it is pronounced /ˈlɒdʒ.ɪŋz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈlɑː.dʒɪŋz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
LODGINGS sounds like 'lodging' a key somewhere temporary – a temporary place to stay.
Conceptual Metaphor
HOUSING IS A TEMPORARY SHELTER (contrasts with 'home' as a permanent, emotional base).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'lodgings' correctly?