neighbour

USAGE SUMMARY

"neighbour" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone who lives close to you. For example, "I'd like to thank my neighbour for all his help this week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Next door, his neighbour Sunday's shop was an equally smouldering wreck.

The Guardian

"We would have an obligation as a good friend and neighbour in our region to respond if we had a request from one of those nations," he said.

The Guardian

It enacts a regression from the Christian ethic of "love thy neighbour" back to the pagan privileging of the tribe over the barbarian Other.

The Guardian

Milne said it was "appalling" that Australia would "pay our most impoverished neighbour" so it could "dump" people there without any chance of safety or work or a decent life.

The Guardian

She was popular at school and had a noted instinct for caring, going out of her way to play with Michael, the neighbour with Down's syndrome, and paying regular visits to a lonely old man down the road known as Mr Partridge.

The Guardian

By contrast, the Polish builder or your Bangladeshi neighbour are easy to see.

The Guardian - Opinion

On the night of 11 June 2012, Sheehy's next-door neighbour Ben Hawes, a former Great Britain hockey captain, heard raised voices coming from her flat and noises that sounded like a cross between "a shout and a scream".

The Guardian

Another neighbour stops by, attracted by the throng of people gathering below the flat.

The Guardian

The highest-ranking self-published author on the 5 August NYT chart is Colleen Hoover, whose ebook Slammed ("A girl falls in love with a neighbour who enjoys slam poetry, but they encounter obstacles") comes in in eighth place, ahead of ebooks by established bestsellers James Patterson and Karin Slaughter.

The Guardian - Books

A next-door neighbour said he occasionally had brief conversations with a man who sometimes came in and out of the house, but it was always calm there and he was shocked by the news.

The Guardian

Our neighbour who supported the FSA began telling us we were traitors to the revolution and Syria.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about international relations, use "neighbour" to refer to countries sharing a border. This emphasizes geographical proximity and potential political or economic implications.

Common error

Be aware that "neighbour" is the British English spelling, while "neighbor" is the American English spelling. Choose the spelling that is appropriate for your audience and maintain consistency throughout your writing.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "neighbour" is as a noun, referring to a person or country living or located near another. It can also function as a verb, meaning to be adjacent to. Ludwig highlights the versatility of the word in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Travel

15%

Books

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "neighbour" is a versatile term primarily functioning as a noun to denote someone living nearby, but also capable of acting as a verb. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. While primarily found in news and media contexts, it also appears in travel writing and literature. Remember to choose the correct spelling variant ("neighbour" for British English, "neighbor" for American English) for your target audience. As Ludwig examples show, "neighbour" is a common and accepted way to refer to those in close proximity, whether people or countries.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

person next door

Specifically indicates someone living in the adjacent house or apartment.

neighboring resident

Focuses on the residential aspect and proximity.

fellow resident

Stresses shared residency in the same area or building.

nearby person

Emphasizes physical closeness without necessarily implying a residential relationship.

nearby inhabitant

Neutral term for someone who lives close by.

local resident

Highlights belonging to the same community, not necessarily immediate proximity.

adjacent dweller

More formal way to indicate someone who lives next to or very close to you.

close acquaintance

Indicates a friendly relationship with someone living nearby.

community member

Broader term referring to anyone belonging to the same community.

local

Short and informal way to refer to someone from the same area.

FAQs

How do I use "neighbour" in a sentence?

Use "neighbour" to refer to someone who lives near you. For example, "My "neighbour" borrowed my lawnmower last week."

What's the difference between "neighbour" and "neighbor"?

"Neighbour" is the British English spelling, while "neighbor" is the American English spelling. Choose the appropriate spelling based on your audience.

Are there any synonyms for "neighbour"?

Yes, depending on the context, you can use synonyms like "resident", "local", or "dweller".

Is it correct to use "neighbour" to refer to a country?

Yes, "neighbour" can refer to a country that shares a border with another. For example, "France is a "neighbour" of Germany."