Can you use 'rehome' for objects?

Yes, but it is less common and often used to imply a caring or responsible transfer, such as with furniture or plants, giving them a 'new home'. Its primary and most natural use is for animals.

Is 'rehome' a formal word?

No, it is neutral to informal. It is the standard, commonly understood term in animal welfare contexts but would be replaced by more formal terms like 'relocate' or 'resettle' in official documents not related to pets.

What's the difference between 'adopt' and 'rehome'?

'Adopt' focuses on the action of the new owner taking in the animal. 'Rehome' focuses on the action of the previous owner or shelter finding a new home for it. A shelter rehomes animals; a family adopts a pet.

Is 'rehome' used for people?

Generally no, and it can be considered dehumanising or offensive. For people, terms like 'rehouse', 'relocate', or 'resettle' are used. 'Rehome' is strongly collocated with pets and possessions.

How do you pronounce “rehome”?

Rehome: in British English it is pronounced /ˌriːˈhəʊm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌriˈhoʊm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

rehome: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

UK/ˌriːˈhəʊm/US/ˌriˈhoʊm/

Neutral to Informal

My Flashcards

Quick answer

What does “rehome” mean?

To find a new home for a pet or animal, typically from a shelter or previous owner.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

To find a new home for a pet or animal, typically from a shelter or previous owner.

More broadly, to relocate or find a new place for an object or living being, though strongly associated with animal welfare contexts. Occasionally used for finding new owners for inanimate objects (e.g., furniture) in a way that implies care and responsible transfer.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

Usage and meaning are identical. The word is equally understood in both varieties, though possibly slightly more frequent in UK media related to animal charities.

Connotations

Identical positive connotations of responsible care.

Frequency

Comparatively similar frequency; common in animal welfare discourse in both regions.

Grammar

How to Use “rehome” in a Sentence

[Subject: person/organisation] rehome [Object: animal] (with [Recipient: new owner])[Subject: animal] be rehomed

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

rehome a dogrehome a catrehome an animalhelp to rehome

medium

rehome a petrehome rabbitsseek to rehomesuccessfully rehomed

weak

rehome furniturerehome children's toysdifficult to rehome

Examples

Examples of “rehome” in a Sentence

verb

British English

The charity works to rehome abandoned greyhounds.
We decided to rehome our guinea pigs as we're moving abroad.

American English

The shelter rehomed over fifty cats last month.
They're trying to rehome the puppy before the weekend.

adverb

British English

[No established adverb form. Not used.]

American English

[No established adverb form. Not used.]

adjective

British English

The rehomed dog settled in quickly. (past participle as adjective)
She runs a small rehoming centre for birds.

American English

The rehomed cat is very affectionate. (past participle as adjective)
Check the website's rehoming fees for kittens.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Rare. Might be used in niche contexts like pet retail or furniture resale platforms with a community angle.

Academic

Very rare, except possibly in veterinary science or animal behaviour papers discussing adoption processes.

Everyday

Common, especially among pet owners, in conversations about animal shelters, and on community noticeboards/websites.

Technical

Used as a standard term in animal welfare, veterinary, and shelter management fields.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “rehome”

Strong

adopt out (US)find a home for

Neutral

relocateplace in a new home

Weak

give away transfer

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “rehome”

abandon keep acquire take in

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “rehome”

Using it for people (e.g., 'rehome a refugee' is atypical and potentially offensive).
Using it to mean 'move house' for oneself ('I need to rehome' is incorrect).
Misspelling as 're-home' (hyphenated form is less common in modern usage).

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: Yes, but it is less common and often used to imply a caring or responsible transfer, such as with furniture or plants, giving them a 'new home'. Its primary and most natural use is for animals.
: No, it is neutral to informal. It is the standard, commonly understood term in animal welfare contexts but would be replaced by more formal terms like 'relocate' or 'resettle' in official documents not related to pets.
: 'Adopt' focuses on the action of the new owner taking in the animal. 'Rehome' focuses on the action of the previous owner or shelter finding a new home for it. A shelter rehomes animals; a family adopts a pet.
: Generally no, and it can be considered dehumanising or offensive. For people, terms like 'rehouse', 'relocate', or 'resettle' are used. 'Rehome' is strongly collocated with pets and possessions.
: To find a new home for a pet or animal, typically from a shelter or previous owner.
: Rehome: in British English it is pronounced /ˌriːˈhəʊm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌriˈhoʊm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“[No specific idioms. The word itself is a lexicalised compound.]”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think: RE + HOME. You are giving something (especially a pet) a REnewed HOME.

Conceptual Metaphor

HOME AS A CONTAINER FOR CARE / RELOCATION AS A POSITIVE JOURNEY.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

The family decided to their older dog when they had a baby, as it became too stressful for the animal.

Multiple Choice

In which context is the verb 'rehome' MOST appropriately used?