homes

Meanings

1. 1nounplural

   The places where people live, especially when thought of as family or personal spaces.

   Grammar: Plural of the countable noun 'home'; use with plural verbs and pronouns.

   Patterns

   • homes for someone
   • build homes
   • return to their homes

   The storm damaged hundreds of homes along the coast.

   They built new homes for families who lost everything.

   Many people left their homes early to avoid the traffic.

2. 2nounpluraltechnical

   The places where a type of animal or plant normally lives.

   Grammar: Used in biology and nature writing; singular is 'home' or more commonly 'habitat'.

   Patterns

   • natural homes
   • homes for wildlife

   Wetlands are important homes for birds and fish.

   Deforestation destroys the homes of many species.

3. 3verbintransitivetechnical

   To move toward a place or target, especially using a guidance system.

   Grammar: Usually used with 'in on': the missile homed in on the target.

   Patterns

   • home in on something

   The drone homed in on the signal from the lost hikers.

   The bird homed in on its nest after a long flight.

Word forms

Common combinations

nursing homes

Many elderly people live in nursing homes.

mobile homes

Mobile homes are common in some rural areas.

homes for sale

There are several homes for sale on this street.

second homes

They own second homes in the mountains.

Synonyms and how they differ

houses

Usually refers to the physical buildings, while 'homes' often includes the emotional sense of family.

residences

More formal; it can refer to any place where someone lives, including apartments.

Word family

home noun

The singular form; a place where someone lives.

homing adjective

Describing an animal or device that can find its way home or to a target.

homeless adjective

Having no place to live.

Commonly confused: homes or homes?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “homes”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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