Home vs. Residence — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 25, 2023
Home is a place of personal comfort and belonging, while Residence is a place where someone lives, emphasizing its physical or legal aspect.
Difference Between Home and Residence
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Home is often associated with emotions, memories, and a sense of belonging. It's where one feels at ease and connected. Residence, on the other hand, pertains to the physical location or structure where someone lives, typically devoid of emotional connotations.
Home can be seen as a sanctuary, a place that offers emotional and psychological refuge. Whether it's a childhood home filled with memories or a newly established household, "home" evokes feelings of warmth and safety. In contrast, Residence is more technical and can refer to an apartment, house, or even a dormitory where someone resides, irrespective of their feelings towards it.
While Home captures the essence of belonging and personal identity, it doesn't necessarily have to be a physical space. One can feel "at home" even in a foreign land, amidst unfamiliar surroundings, if they feel welcome and content. Residence, meanwhile, is strictly a physical entity, referring to a particular place where an individual or family lives.
Home is flexible in its meaning, potentially referring to a hometown, a nation, or any place that holds personal significance. It's a space where one's heart finds peace. On the contrary, Residence is objective, indicating a specific address or location, without delving into the deeper emotional or symbolic layers.
Home is where one's story often begins and flourishes, marked by personal milestones and cherished moments. It's an emotionally charged word, encompassing far more than just four walls and a roof. Conversely, Residence simply denotes a dwelling place, providing factual information about someone's living quarters without the emotional undertones.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A place of emotional connection and belonging.
A place where someone physically lives.
Emotional Connotation
Has emotional ties and feelings of belonging.
Generally neutral; emphasizes the physical location.
Flexibility
Can be abstract or physical.
Strictly refers to a physical dwelling or address.
Example
"I feel at home in this city."
"My residence is on Maple Street."
Context
Can refer to a hometown, country, or personal space
Refers to a specific dwelling or place of living.
Compare with Definitions
Home
A habitat for a person, family, or household.
We recently moved into our new home.
Residence
A place where an individual or family lives.
Their residence is in the downtown area.
Home
A place where something is native or most common.
The kangaroo's home is in Australia.
Residence
An official house of a notable person.
The governor's residence is open for visitors on weekends.
Home
A home, or domicile, is a space used as a permanent or semi-permanent residence for an individual, group or family. It is a fully or semi sheltered space and can have both interior and exterior aspects to it.
Residence
A legal place of living or domicile.
His official residence is in New York, but he often stays in California.
Home
The place where one lives permanently, especially as a member of a family or household
The floods forced many people to flee their homes
I was nineteen when I left home and went to college
Residence
A physical dwelling or structure.
The residence has five bedrooms and a garden.
Home
An institution for people needing professional care or supervision
An old people's home
Residence
The fact of living in a particular place.
Her residence in the city spans over a decade.
Home
The finishing point in a race
He was four fences from home
Residence
A residence is a place (normally a building) used as a home or dwelling, where people reside.
Home
Relating to the place where one lives
I don't have your home address
Residence
A person's home, especially a large and impressive one
The youth hostel has been adapted from a private residence
Home
(of a sports fixture) played at the team's own ground
A home win
Their first home match of the season
Residence
The place in which one lives; a dwelling.
Home
Denoting the administrative centre of an organization
The company has moved its home office
Residence
The act or a period of residing in a place.
Home
To or at the place where one lives
What time did he get home last night?
Residence
A medical residency.
Home
(of an animal) return by instinct to its territory after leaving it
A dozen geese homing to their summer nesting grounds
Residence
The official home or location of a corporation.
Home
Move or be aimed towards (a target or destination) with great accuracy
More than 100 missiles were launched, homing in on radar emissions
Residence
The place where one lives (resides); one's home.
Home
Provide (an animal) with a home as a pet
Each year thousands of cats which could have been homed are being needlessly put down
Residence
A building or portion thereof used as a home, such as a house#Noun or an apartment#Noun therein.
Home
A place where one lives; a residence.
Residence
The place where a corporation is established.
Home
The physical structure within which one lives, such as a house or apartment.
Residence
The state of living in a particular place or environment.
Home
A dwelling place together with the family or social unit that occupies it; a household.
Residence
Accommodation for students at a university or college.
Home
An environment offering security and happiness.
Residence
The place where anything rests permanently.
Home
A valued place regarded as a refuge or place of origin.
Residence
Subsidence, as of a sediment
Home
The place, such as a country or town, where one was born or has lived for a long period.
Residence
That which falls to the bottom of liquors; sediment; also, refuse; residuum.
Home
The native habitat, as of a plant or animal.
Residence
(espionage) rezidentura
Home
The place where something is discovered, founded, developed, or promoted; a source.
Residence
The act or fact of residing, abiding, or dwelling in a place for some continuance of time; as, the residence of an American in France or Italy for a year.
The confessor had often made considerable residences in Normandy.
Home
A headquarters; a home base.
Residence
The place where one resides; an abode; a dwelling or habitation; esp., a settled or permanent home or domicile.
Johnson took up his residence in London.
Home
(Baseball) Home plate.
Residence
The residing of an incumbent on his benefice; - opposed to nonresidence.
Home
(Games) Home base.
Residence
The place where anything rests permanently.
But when a king sets himself to bandy against the highest court and residence of all his regal power, he then, . . . fights against his own majesty and kingship.
Home
An institution where people are cared for
A home for the elderly.
Residence
Subsidence, as of a sediment.
Home
The starting position of the cursor on a text-based computer display, usually in the upper left corner of the screen.
Residence
That which falls to the bottom of liquors; sediment; also, refuse; residuum.
Home
A starting position within a computer application, such as the beginning of a line, file, or screen or the top of a chart or list.
Residence
Any address at which you dwell more than temporarily;
A person can have several residences
Home
Of or relating to a home, especially to one's household or house
Home cooking.
Home furnishings.
Residence
The official house or establishment of an important person (as a sovereign or president);
He refused to live in the governor's residence
Home
Taking place in the home
Home care for the elderly.
Residence
The act of dwelling in a place
Home
Of, relating to, or being a place of origin or headquarters
The home office.
Residence
A large and imposing house
Home
(Sports) Relating to a team's sponsoring institution or to the place where it is franchised
A home game.
The home field advantage.
Home
Of, relating to, or being the keys used as base positions for the fingers in touch-typing
The home row on a standard keyboard consists of the keys for A, S, D, F, J, K, L,.
, and '.
Home
At, to, or toward the direction of home
Going home for lunch.
Home
On or into the point at which something is directed
The arrow struck home.
Home
To the center or heart of something; deeply
Your comments really hit home.
Home
To go or return to one's residence or base of operations.
Home
To guide (a missile or aircraft) to a target.
Home
To arrange to have (an animal) placed in a home.
Home
To take (an animal) into one's home.
Home
A dwelling.
Home
One’s own dwelling place; the house or structure in which one lives; especially the house in which one lives with one's family; the habitual abode of one’s family.
Home
The place (residence, settlement, country, etc.), where a person was born and/or raised; childhood or parental home; home of one’s parents or guardian.
Does she still live at home? - No, she moved out and got an apartment when she was 18, but she still lives in the city.
Home
The abiding place of the affections, especially of the domestic affections.
Home
A house that has been made home-like, to suit the comfort of those who live there.
It's what you bring into a house that makes it a home
Home
A place of refuge, rest or care; an asylum.
A home for outcasts
A home for the blind
A veterans' home
Instead of a pet store, get your new dog from the local dogs’ home.
Home
(by extension) The grave; the final rest; also, the native and eternal dwelling place of the soul.
Home
One’s native land; the place or country in which one dwells; the place where one’s ancestors dwell or dwelt.
Home
The locality where a thing is usually found, or was first found, or where it is naturally abundant; habitat; seat.
The home of the pine
Home
A focus point.
Home
(board games) The ultimate point aimed at in a progress; the goal.
The object of Sorry! is to get all four of your pawns to your home.
Home
(baseball) Home plate.
Home
(lacrosse) The place of a player in front of an opponent’s goal; also, the player.
Home
(Internet) The landing page of a website; the site's homepage.
Home
The chord at which a melody starts and to which it can resolve.
Home
Clipping of home directory
Home
To return to its owner.
The dog homed.
Home
To seek or aim for something.
The missile was able to home in on the target.
Home
Of, from, or pertaining to one’s dwelling or country; domestic; not foreign
Home
That strikes home; direct, pointed.
A home truth
Home
(obsolete) Personal, intimate.
Home
(sports) Relating to the home team (the team at whose venue a game is played).
The home end, home advantage, home supporters
Home
To one's home
Home
To one's place of residence or one's customary or official location
Go home
Come home
Carry someone home
Home
To one's place of birth
Home
To the place where it belongs; to the end of a course; to the full length
She drove the nail home
Ram a cartridge home
Home
(internet) To the home page
Click here to go home.
Home
At or in one's place of residence or one's customary or official location; at home
Everyone's gone to watch the game; there's nobody home.
I'm home!
Home
To a full and intimate degree; to the heart of the matter; fully, directly.
Home
Into the goal
Home
(nautical) into the right, proper or stowed position
Sails sheeted home
Home
See Homelyn.
Home
One's own dwelling place; the house in which one lives; esp., the house in which one lives with his family; the habitual abode of one's family; also, one's birthplace.
The disciples went away again to their own home.
Home is the sacred refuge of our life.
Home! home! sweet, sweet home!There's no place like home.
Home
One's native land; the place or country in which one dwells; the place where one's ancestors dwell or dwelt.
Home
The abiding place of the affections, especially of the domestic affections.
He entered in his house - his home no more,For without hearts there is no home.
Home
The locality where a thing is usually found, or was first found, or where it is naturally abundant; habitat; seat; as, the home of the pine.
Her eyes are homes of silent prayer.
Flandria, by plenty made the home of war.
Home
A place of refuge and rest; an asylum; as, a home for outcasts; a home for the blind; hence, esp., the grave; the final rest; also, the native and eternal dwelling place of the soul.
Man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets.
Home
The home base; as, he started for home.
Home
Of or pertaining to one's dwelling or country; domestic; not foreign; as home manufactures; home comforts.
Home
Close; personal; pointed; as, a home thrust.
Home
In various games, the ultimate point aimed at in a progress; goal
Home
To one's home or country; as in the phrases, go home, come home, carry home.
Home
Close; closely.
How home the charge reaches us, has been made out.
They come home to men's business and bosoms.
Home
To the place where it belongs; to the end of a course; to the full length; as, to drive a nail home; to ram a cartridge home.
Wear thy good rapier bare and put it home.
Home
To return home.
Home
To proceed toward an object or location intended as a target; - of missiles which can change course in flight under internal or external control; usually used with in on; as, the missile homed in on the radar site.
Home
To arrive at or get closer to an object sought or an intended goal; used with in on; as, the repairman quickly homed in on the cause of the malfunction.
Home
Where you live at a particular time;
Deliver the package to my home
He doesn't have a home to go to
Your place or mine?
Home
Housing that someone is living in;
He built a modest dwelling near the pond
They raise money to provide homes for the homeless
Home
The country or state or city where you live;
Canadian tariffs enabled United States lumber companies to raise prices at home
His home is New Jersey
Home
An environment offering affection and security;
Home is where the heart is
He grew up in a good Christian home
There's no place like home
Home
An institution where people are cared for;
A home for the elderly
Home
The place where you are stationed and from which missions start and end
Home
A social unit living together;
He moved his family to Virginia
It was a good Christian household
I waited until the whole house was asleep
The teacher asked how many people made up his home
Home
(baseball) base consisting of a rubber slab where the batter stands; it must be touched by a base runner in order to score;
He ruled that the runner failed to touch home
Home
Place where something began and flourished;
The United States is the home of basketball
Home
Provide with, or send to, a home
Home
Return home accurately from a long distance;
Homing pigeons
Home
Used of your own ground;
A home game
Home
Relating to or being where one lives or where one's roots are;
My home town
Home
Inside the country;
The British Home Office has broader responsibilities than the United States Department of the Interior
The nation's internal politics
Home
At or to or in the direction of one's home or family;
He stays home on weekends
After the game the children brought friends home for supper
I'll be home tomorrow
Came riding home in style
I hope you will come home for Christmas
I'll take her home
Don't forget to write home
Home
On or to the point aimed at;
The arrow struck home
Home
To the fullest extent; to the heart;
Drove the nail home
Drove his point home
His comments hit home
Home
A place where one lives and feels a sense of belonging.
My home is where my heart is.
Home
A location providing comfort and safety.
After a long trip, I was glad to be home.
Home
An origin or starting point.
This city is my home, where I grew up.
Common Curiosities
Does "Residence" have emotional connotations?
Generally, "Residence" emphasizes the physical or legal aspect of living somewhere, without emotional ties.
Can a hotel be called a "Home"?
If someone feels a deep sense of comfort and belonging there, they might refer to it as their "home."
Can a country be referred to as a "Home"?
Yes, people often refer to their native country or any place they feel deeply connected to as "home."
Is a "Residence" always a house?
No, a "Residence" can be an apartment, dormitory, or any place where someone lives.
Is "Home" always a physical place?
No, "Home" can also refer to a feeling or sense of belonging, not just a physical location.
Do all people have a "Home"?
While everyone has a place of residence, not everyone might have a place they emotionally consider "home."
Can feelings or memories make a place a "Home"?
Yes, feelings of comfort, belonging, and memories often define what one considers "home."
Can "Residence" indicate temporary living situations?
Yes, "Residence" can denote both temporary and permanent living situations.
What's the official term for a place where a president or monarch lives?
It's often called an official residence.
Are apartments and condos considered "Residences"?
Yes, any dwelling place where someone lives can be termed a "residence."
Can "Residence" be used interchangeably with "Address"?
Often, but while "address" is strictly about location, "residence" emphasizes the dwelling or living aspect.
Do people have multiple "Homes"?
Yes, people can have multiple places they consider "home," especially if they have strong emotional ties to different locations.
Can "Home" be used in metaphoric contexts?
Absolutely. Phrases like "make yourself at home" or "home in on a target" use "home" metaphorically.
Is "Residence" used in legal contexts?
Yes, "Residence" can refer to one's legal place of living or domicile.
What does "home is where the heart is" mean?
It means that home is not just a physical place but where you feel most loved, comfortable, and secure.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
