residence
B2Formal to neutral; more formal than 'home' or 'house'.
Definition
Meaning
The fact of living somewhere as your main home.
A person's home; a large, often formal or impressive house; the official home of a head of state, university head, or other dignitary; the period during which someone lives in a particular place; a place where an institution operates, such as an artist's or writer's association with an organization.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a countable noun ('a residence', 'many residences'), but also used as an uncountable noun to denote the legal or official status of living somewhere ('country of residence', 'take up residence').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the term similarly. 'Residence' as a building is more formal in both. 'Residence hall' is the standard US term for student dormitory; UK prefers 'hall of residence' or simply 'halls'.
Connotations
In both, implies permanence, legal status, or formality. In UK, 'residence' (as a building) strongly connotes grandeur or official status (e.g., '10 Downing Street is the Prime Minister's residence').
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in formal/legal contexts in both varieties. The uncountable use (e.g., 'place of residence') is very common in official forms.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[verb] + residence: take up, establish, maintain, change, leave[adjective] + residence: permanent, temporary, main, primary, officialVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “hall of residence”
- “artist/writer in residence”
- “take up residence”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Official company residence (registered office); tax residence of an employee.
Academic
Residence requirement for a degree; student halls of residence.
Everyday
Giving your address as 'place of residence'; discussing where someone lives.
Technical
Legal term for domicile affecting taxation and voting rights; 'residence time' in science.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The students are required to reside in university accommodation for their first year.
- He resided at the address for over a decade.
American English
- She resides in a suburb of Chicago.
- The company's CEO resides overseas.
adverb
British English
- He lives residentially in a quiet part of town. (rare use)
- The building is residentially zoned.
American English
- The area is zoned residentially. (rare use)
- The property is used residentially.
adjective
British English
- She is the resident expert on medieval history.
- The resident population of the island is 5,000.
American English
- He is the resident physician on call.
- They performed a resident theatre company.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My residence is near the park.
- The hotel is not a permanent residence.
- He has moved his residence to Spain.
- The university offers halls of residence for new students.
- After five years of residence in the country, she could apply for citizenship.
- The palace serves as the official residence of the head of state.
- The new tax laws depend on an individual's country of fiscal residence.
- His tenure as artist-in-residence at the gallery produced a remarkable exhibition.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'RESide' + 'ENCE' → the place where you re-SIDE (sit/live).
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A JOURNEY, A HOME IS A DESTINATION (taking up residence, leaving residence).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'резиденция' (which specifically implies an official, grand residence). 'Residence' is broader. The Russian 'проживание' is closer to 'stay' or temporary living, not permanent residence.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'residence' incorrectly for a very short stay (e.g., a hotel). Confusing 'resident' (person) with 'residence' (place). Misspelling as 'residance'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'residence' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Home' is more personal and emotional. 'Residence' is more formal, legal, or official, emphasizing the fact or place of living, often with a degree of permanence.
No. 'Residence' is the place or fact of living somewhere. 'Residency' often refers to a period of advanced medical training or a formal status (e.g., 'legal residency').
Yes, you can, especially in legal/official contexts (e.g., 'principal residence'). However, in everyday conversation, 'home' or 'flat/apartment' is more natural.
It means 'present and living/working in an official capacity at a particular institution' (e.g., 'The author will be in residence at the library for a month to work on her novel.').