Tenement vs. Tenament — Which is Correct Spelling?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 21, 2024
The correct spelling is "Tenement," while the incorrect one is "Tenament." A tenement is a multi-occupancy building, often residential, that is rented to tenants.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Tenement or Tenament
How to spell Tenement?
Tenement
Correct Spelling
Tenament
Incorrect Spelling
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Think of "rent," which is what you do with a tenement. "Rent" and "Tenement" both contain an "e."
The word "tenement" has "ten" in it, and you can remember it’s for more than "ten" people.
Remember that "ament" is a false "amen," and "tenement" is the right way to spell it.
Associate "tenement" with "element," both end in "-ment."
Use it in a sentence or two to reinforce the correct spelling in your memory.
ADVERTISEMENT
How Do You Spell Tenament Correctly?
Incorrect: He grew up in a cramped tenament building with very little space.
Correct: He grew up in a cramped tenement building with very little space.
Incorrect: The old tenament was torn down to make way for new apartments.
Correct: The old tenement was torn down to make way for new apartments.
Incorrect: The fire started in a dilapidated tenament on the east side of the city.
Correct: The fire started in a dilapidated tenement on the east side of the city.
Tenement Definitions
Tenement refers to a multi-story building divided into rented apartments.
He grew up in a tenement in New York.
Tenement can also signify the legal rights associated with occupying property.
His tenement rights were under dispute.
Tenement may denote a large, overcrowded residential building.
The tenement housed many families in cramped spaces.
Tenement can mean a run-down apartment building.
The tenement was in dire need of repairs.
Tenement can refer to any rented or leased property.
She leased a commercial tenement for her store.
A tenement is a type of building shared by multiple dwellings, typically with flats or apartments on each floor and with shared entrance stairway access, on the British Isles notably common in Scotland. In the medieval Old Town, in Edinburgh, tenements were developed with each apartment treated as a separate house, built on top of each other (such as Gladstone's Land).
A building for human habitation, especially one that is rented to tenants.
A rundown, low-rental apartment building whose facilities and maintenance barely meet minimum standards.
Chiefly British An apartment or room leased to a tenant.
(Law) A property of a permanent nature that is possessed or owned, such as land or a building, along with the rights associated with such possession or ownership.
A building that is rented to multiple tenants, especially a low-rent, run-down one.
(legal) Any form of property that is held by one person from another, rather than being owned.
The island of Brecqhou is a tenement of Sark.
(figurative) Dwelling; abode; habitation.
That which is held of another by service; property which one holds of a lord or proprietor in consideration of some military or pecuniary service; fief; fee.
Any species of permanent property that may be held, so as to create a tenancy, as lands, houses, rents, commons, an office, an advowson, a franchise, a right of common, a peerage, and the like; - called also free tenements or frank tenements.
The thing held is a tenement, the possessor of it a "tenant," and the manner of possession is called "tenure."
A dwelling house; a building for a habitation; also, an apartment, or suite of rooms, in a building, used by one family; often, a house erected to be rented.
Fig.: Dwelling; abode; habitation.
Who has informed us that a rational soul can inhabit no tenement, unless it has just such a sort of frontispiece?
A tenement house.
A rundown apartment house barely meeting minimal standards
Tenement Meaning in a Sentence
The artist rented a small room in a tenement for her studio.
Families in the tenement shared a single bathroom.
The tenement had narrow hallways and steep staircases.
Children played in the narrow alley behind the tenement.
Each floor of the tenement had four apartments.
The tenement was heated by an old wood-burning stove.
Tenement life was tough, but the community was close-knit.
The tenement was built in the late 1800s and had seen better days.
The local church was a cornerstone for the tenement community.
A small tenement garden provided a bit of green space.
Tenement residents fought for better living conditions.
The tenement was notorious for its cramped living quarters.
Social reformers documented tenement conditions to advocate for change.
Laundry hung from lines stretched across the tenement courtyard.
The tenement was part of a historical district preservation effort.
The tenement was a melting pot of different cultures and languages.
The tenement had a small corner store on the ground floor.
Despite its flaws, the tenement was home to many who had nowhere else to go.
Tenement Idioms & Phrases
From tenement to townhouse
Describes someone's upward social or economic mobility.
Her autobiography describes her journey from tenement to townhouse, emphasizing her career success.
Tenement to penthouse
A phrase denoting a rise from poverty to wealth.
His life story is a classic tale of tenement to penthouse, showing how hard work can change one's fortunes.
Tenement tales
Stories or experiences from living in tenements, often highlighting hardships or community spirit.
The author's new book is a collection of tenement tales, showcasing the resilience of urban families.
Tenement tight
Describing a very close-knit, supportive community, similar to those found in tenements.
Even though it's a large city, the neighborhood feels tenement tight, with everyone looking out for each other.
Tenement talk
The specific dialect, slang, or manner of speaking common among tenement residents.
Even years after moving away, he could still slip into the tenement talk of his youth.
Tenement truth
The harsh realities or truths about tenement living conditions.
The documentary aims to expose the tenement truth, revealing the struggles of its inhabitants.
Tenement trail
A path or series of locations within a tenement or tenement district, often used in historical tours.
The guided tenement trail takes visitors through the historic district, explaining the area's significance.
Tenement test
A metaphorical reference to the challenges faced in tenements, used to describe any difficult situation that tests one's resilience.
The project was a real tenement test, pushing the team to their limits.
Tenement tradition
Customs or practices that originated or are commonly observed in tenement communities.
The annual block party is a tenement tradition that has been kept alive for generations.
Tenement tough
Referring to someone who is resilient and toughened by the challenges of tenement life.
Despite the new environment, he maintained a tenement tough attitude that earned him respect.
Common Curiosities
Why is it called Tenement?
From Latin "tenementum," meaning a holding or property.
What is the verb form of Tenement?
There is no verb form of "tenement."
What is the pronunciation of Tenement?
Pronounced as /ˈtɛnəmənt/.
What is the plural form of Tenement?
Tenements.
Which article is used with Tenement?
"A" or "the" can be used.
Which vowel is used before Tenement?
"A" as in "a tenement."
What is the root word of Tenement?
Latin "tenementum."
What is the singular form of Tenement?
Tenement.
Is Tenement an abstract noun?
No, it's a concrete noun.
Is the word “Tenement” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
It can be a direct object, depending on the sentence.
How many syllables are in Tenement?
Three syllables.
How do we divide Tenement into syllables?
Ten-e-ment.
Which preposition is used with Tenement?
"In" is commonly used.
Which conjunction is used with Tenement?
"And" as in "tenements and apartments."
Is Tenement a vowel or consonant?
Tenement is a word, not a vowel or consonant.
Is the word Tenement imperative?
No.
What is another term for Tenement?
"Apartment building" or "multi-family home."
Is Tenement a noun or adjective?
It's a noun.
Is Tenement a negative or positive word?
Generally neutral but can be negative depending on context.
Is the word Tenement a Gerund?
No.
Which determiner is used with Tenement?
"The" or "a" are common.
Is Tenement a countable noun?
Yes.
Is Tenement a collective noun?
No.
Is the Tenement term a metaphor?
No.
What is the opposite of Tenement?
"Detached house" or "single-family home."
Is Tenement an adverb?
No.
What is a stressed syllable in Tenement?
The first syllable, "Ten."
What part of speech is Tenement?
Noun.
How is Tenement used in a sentence?
"The tenement was filled with a diverse community of families."
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Attacted vs. AttackedNext Comparison
Phalic vs. PhallicAuthor Spotlight
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.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.