What does domestic mean?
Domestic is an adjective with two principal meanings: first, it refers to anything connected with the home, household management, or family life — domestic duties, domestic appliances, domestic bliss. Second, it distinguishes what is internal to one's own country from what is foreign: a domestic flight stays within national borders, and gross domestic product measures a nation's internal output. A related sense applies to animals that have been tamed and bred to live alongside humans, such as dogs, cats, and cattle. Used about people, 'domestic' can suggest a fondness for home life, sometimes with a faintly old-fashioned tone. The word derives from the Latin domesticus, meaning 'belonging to the house', itself from domus, 'home' — a root shared with domicile and dame. Its versatility across home, nation, and animal husbandry makes it one of the more quietly useful words in English.
Of or relating to the home, household, or family life.
"Their domestic arrangements were admirably organised."
When applied to people, it suggests skill at or devotion to home-making.
Existing or occurring within a particular country; not foreign.
"Demand on the domestic market remained strong throughout the quarter."
(Of an animal) tame and kept by humans; not wild.
"The cat is one of the most popular domestic animals in the world."
A person employed to work in a household, such as a servant or cleaner.
"The household employed two domestics to manage cooking and cleaning."
This sense is somewhat dated in British and American usage but remains common in South Asian English.
As a countable noun meaning household servants, or referring collectively to household linens and supplies.
"She spent Saturday morning washing and ironing the domestics."
The same Latin word that gives us 'domestic' gives us 'domicile' — and even the 'dame' in your pantomime traces back to it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of domestic
Domestic comes from the Latin domesticus, meaning 'of the house or household', which is derived from domus, the Latin word for home or dwelling. It entered English in the early 16th century, initially carrying the sense of belonging to the household before extending to animals kept by people and to a nation's internal affairs. The root domus also underlies English words such as domicile, dome, and dame, all tracing back ultimately to the same Indo-European base meaning 'to build' or 'household'.
Related word forms
How domestic is actually used
In everyday speech, 'domestic' often carries a slightly homely or mundane connotation when describing tasks or skills. In economics and politics, it is neutral and formal, contrasting with 'foreign' or 'overseas'. The sense of a household servant is now somewhat dated in British English but remains current in South Asian English.
Easily confused with domestic
'Docile' describes someone or something that is easily managed or taught, while 'domestic' relates to the home, family life, or one's own country.