HomeDictionaryDdwelling

Note: The translation for this entry is currently under quality review. Some content is temporarily displayed in English only.

dwelling

/ˈdwɛ.lɪŋ/

When used as a noun, "dwelling" is more formal than words like "home" or "house". You will often see it in legal documents, government reports, or descriptive writing. As a verb, "dwelling" is less common in everyday speech. People usually prefer to say "living" instead of "dwelling" when talking about where they reside.

💬Casual Conversation

🎬Tuesday afternoon, Sarah is hiding in the office breakroom to avoid David.
Mark

yo check this airbnb. a literal cave dwelling for 50 bucks.

Mark
Sarah
Sarah

hard pass. i'm already vibing with my current hole in the wall.

💡
Mark uses 'dwelling' to describe a primitive residence, while Sarah uses the idiom 'hole in the wall' to jokingly refer to her own small, cheap apartment, reflecting their mutual exhaustion and low standards for living.

Meanings

noun

A house, apartment, or other place of residence.

"The remote mountain dwelling was barely visible through the thick fog."

verb (intransitive)

To live in or occupy a specified place.

"They are dwelling in a small cottage by the sea."

Related Words

Last Updated: May 22, 2026Report an Error