housemates

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "housemates" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to individuals who share a living space, typically in a shared house or apartment. Example: "After moving to college, I quickly became friends with my housemates, and we often cooked dinner together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"If you've got a fixed-term tenancy and you want to leave before it ends, the landlord can insist that you keep paying rent for the full length of the tenancy," says Khan. "If you have a joint fixed-term tenancy it can't be ended early unless all the housemates and the landlord agree, which is known as a surrender, or if there is a break clause in the tenancy agreement.

The Guardian

Malik has stayed in touch with other housemates, who have been supportive.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

From moving into student halls, to making friends with housemates and exploring campus, there are lots of new things to experience and people to meet.

The Guardian

Laura Riley, 22, a student at Goldsmiths, faced a similar situation when she and her housemates didn't pay bills for a year because they didn't trust their landlord, who would dictate their bills to them without showing them the letters.

The Guardian

Though it may feel like it at the time, missing cheese isn't worth losing friends over, so choosing your housemates carefully (and maybe not living with your messy best mate) is key.

The Guardian

In the clip, former housemates read the messages people have sent over social media, many telling them to take their own lives.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

One of my housemates is moving away next year, so we cooked a roast dinner on our last Sunday as a flat.

The Guardian

Or tell your housemates about pubs and clubs with special offers and offer to get the first round.

The Guardian

Housemates that come in pairs can be just as bad, if not worse.

The Guardian

There will come a sad, sad day when you no longer want to hug your housemates while drunkenly belting out Champagne Supernova at 3am.

The Guardian

Two years ago, fresh out of university halls and living in our first truly independent home for less than a month, my housemates and I were woken up by two men in blue boiler suits.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about shared living situations, clarify the relationship between the "housemates" if it's relevant to the context. For example, specifying if they are students, friends, or strangers can add clarity.

Common error

While "housemates" is generally well-understood, consider your audience. In more formal contexts, or when addressing an international audience, using "roommates" or "flatmates" may provide better clarity, depending on regional preferences.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "housemates" is as a plural noun, referring to multiple individuals who share a dwelling. Ludwig shows that it's used to describe people living together in various contexts, from student housing to shared apartments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Encyclopedias

7%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "housemates" is a grammatically sound and very common term referring to individuals who share a residence. As Ludwig confirms, its usage spans various contexts, primarily in news, media and encyclopedias. While the term is generally neutral, considering alternatives like "roommates" or "flatmates" can enhance clarity depending on the audience and regional preferences. When writing about shared living situations, providing additional context about the "housemates'" relationship can further improve understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

roommates

This term is a very close synonym, often used interchangeably with "housemates", especially in American English. It refers to people sharing a room or residence.

flatmates

This term is commonly used in British English to describe people sharing a flat or apartment.

co-tenants

This phrase refers to individuals who jointly rent a property, emphasizing their legal agreement.

cohabitants

This term describes people living together in the same residence, often implying a more formal or long-term arrangement.

shared accommodation residents

This is a more formal and descriptive phrase for those living in shared housing.

communal living partners

This phrase suggests a community-oriented approach to sharing a residence.

household members

This term encompasses all individuals living in a single household, regardless of their relationship.

co-occupants

This is a more technical or legal term for individuals sharing a residence.

living companions

This phrase suggests a sense of companionship among individuals sharing a residence.

dwelling sharers

This is a less common but descriptive phrase emphasizing the shared dwelling.

FAQs

What's the difference between "housemates", "roommates", and "flatmates"?

"Housemates" is a general term for people sharing a house. "Roommates" is often used in American English, referring to those sharing a room or residence. "Flatmates" is commonly used in British English to describe people sharing an apartment or flat.

How can I use "housemates" in a sentence?

You can say, "My "housemates" and I decided to have a potluck dinner" or "Getting along with your "housemates" is crucial for a harmonious living environment."

What are some synonyms for "housemates"?

Alternatives include "roommates", "flatmates", co-tenants, or cohabitants, depending on the specific context and relationship between the individuals.

Is it appropriate to use "housemates" in formal writing?

While "housemates" is widely understood, it might be more appropriate to use a more formal term like "co-tenants" or "co-occupants" in legal or highly formal documents. In most other contexts, "housemates" is perfectly acceptable.