rest-home: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, slightly dated, institutional.
Quick answer
What does “rest-home” mean?
A residential facility providing care and accommodation for elderly people, particularly those who need some assistance but not intensive medical nursing.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A residential facility providing care and accommodation for elderly people, particularly those who need some assistance but not intensive medical nursing.
A general term for a facility offering a home-like environment for older adults who cannot live independently. It often implies a focus on comfort and quality of life rather than medical treatment, though some may provide basic health services.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common in British English and Commonwealth countries (e.g., New Zealand). In American English, 'nursing home' (for higher care needs) or 'assisted living facility' are more prevalent. 'Rest home' is understood but less frequently used in the US.
Connotations
In the UK, it can sound somewhat old-fashioned or gentle. In the US, it may sound quaint or euphemistic compared to more clinical terms.
Frequency
Low-to-medium frequency in UK English; low frequency in US English, where it is considered somewhat archaic.
Grammar
How to Use “rest-home” in a Sentence
[verb] + into/to + a rest-home (move, go, be admitted)[verb] + from + a rest-home (discharge, visit)[adjective] + rest-home (private, local, residential)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “rest-home” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The rest-home manager organised a weekly outing.
- We discussed rest-home funding with the council.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in the context of healthcare provision, property investment (e.g., 'investing in rest-home portfolios'), and social care management.
Academic
Found in sociological, gerontological, and public policy research, often within historical contexts or comparisons of care models.
Everyday
Used by older generations or in family discussions about elderly care arrangements. Can carry emotional weight.
Technical
In healthcare and social work documentation, though more precise legal classifications (e.g., 'Category 2 residential facility') are often preferred.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “rest-home”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “rest-home”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “rest-home”
- Writing as one word ('resthome') or as two separate words without a hyphen ('rest home') in contexts where the hyphenated form is standard. Confusing it with a 'nursing home' which implies a higher level of medical care.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. A rest-home typically provides accommodation, meals, and assistance with daily living activities. A nursing home provides a higher level of 24-hour medical and nursing care.
Language evolves to reflect changing attitudes. Terms like 'retirement home' or 'assisted living' are now preferred as they focus more on active living and choice, rather than just 'rest', which can imply passivity or decline.
No, 'rest-home' is strictly a noun. You cannot say 'to rest-home someone'. The correct phrasing would be 'to place someone in a rest-home' or 'to move into a rest-home'.
In formal writing and dictionary entries, yes, it is a hyphenated compound noun. In informal contexts, you might see it as two words ('rest home'), but the hyphenated form is considered standard.
A residential facility providing care and accommodation for elderly people, particularly those who need some assistance but not intensive medical nursing.
Rest-home is usually formal, slightly dated, institutional. in register.
Rest-home: in British English it is pronounced /ˈrɛst ˌhəʊm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈrɛst ˌhoʊm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms directly with 'rest-home']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'home' where you go to 'rest' in your later years. The hyphen visually links the two concepts: rest-home.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A JOURNEY > The rest-home is the final destination or stopping point on that journey.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following terms is LEAST likely to be used interchangeably with 'rest-home' in modern American English?