retirement community: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal to Neutral
Quick answer
What does “retirement community” mean?
A planned residential community specifically designed for older adults, typically aged 55 and over.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A planned residential community specifically designed for older adults, typically aged 55 and over.
A housing complex or neighborhood offering amenities, activities, and a social environment tailored to the needs and interests of retirees; may include independent living, assisted living, and nursing care facilities.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term 'retirement community' is more common in American English. In British English, 'retirement village' is a frequent synonym, and 'sheltered housing' may refer to a similar concept but with more emphasis on support services.
Connotations
In the US, it often connotes an active, leisure-oriented lifestyle (e.g., in Sun Belt states). In the UK, it may carry a slightly more neutral or practical connotation.
Frequency
High frequency in US real estate and social planning contexts; moderate frequency in UK equivalent discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “retirement community” in a Sentence
[Verb] + retirement community: join, live in, reside in, move toVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “retirement community” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They are retiring to a village in Devon.
- Many choose to downsize and retire to a community.
American English
- They plan to retire to a community in Florida.
- He retired and moved into a golf community.
adverb
British English
- They live communally in retirement.
- (Usage as an adverb is rare; typically a noun phrase)
American English
- They are happily settled in their retirement community.
- (Usage as an adverb is rare; typically a noun phrase)
adjective
British English
- They looked at several retirement village options.
- The retirement housing market is growing.
American English
- They toured a beautiful retirement community home.
- The retirement community lifestyle suited them.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in real estate development, market analysis, and financial planning for seniors.
Academic
Used in sociology, gerontology, and urban planning studies on aging populations.
Everyday
Used when discussing future living arrangements for oneself or aging relatives.
Technical
Used in legal and zoning documents to describe specific types of residential developments.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “retirement community”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “retirement community”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “retirement community”
- Using 'retirement home' interchangeably (a retirement home implies more medical care).
- Misspelling as 'retierment community'.
- Assuming it only refers to very frail elderly people.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Typically 55 or 60 years old, but rules vary by community.
A retirement community is primarily for independent living with social amenities, while a nursing home provides 24-hour medical care and assistance.
No, they exist worldwide, but areas popular with retirees (like Florida or Arizona in the US) have a higher concentration.
It depends. Some offer homes for purchase (like in a 'Continuing Care Retirement Community' or CCRCs), while others operate on a rental model.
A planned residential community specifically designed for older adults, typically aged 55 and over.
Retirement community is usually formal to neutral in register.
Retirement community: in British English it is pronounced /rɪˈtaɪəmənt kəˈmjuːnɪti/, and in American English it is pronounced /rəˈtaɪərmənt kəˈmjuːnɪti/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Golden Years community”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: RETIREment + COMmunITY = A community you join when you retire.
Conceptual Metaphor
Aging is a new chapter in a planned community.
Practice
Quiz
Which term is most specific to a planned residential area for active, independent seniors over 55?