What does homecomer mean?
A homecomer is a person who has returned home after being away. The term is especially appropriate for someone returning from a long journey, work abroad, university, military service, or another significant period of absence, although it can be used more generally. In ordinary conversation, “returnee” may sound more natural, while “homecomer” has a somewhat formal or literary quality and can carry the emotional suggestion of arrival at a place long missed. It emphasizes the return itself and the person’s status as an arrival rather than the destination. The word is useful when the return is noteworthy, especially when a community is welcoming someone back after an extended absence.
nounA person who has returned home, especially after being away for a period of time. The word can refer to someone returning from travel, work, study, military service, or another prolonged absence.
- A person who returns to their home or homeland after being away.
"The homecomer was welcomed by friends and relatives at the station."
"Each summer, the town's homecomers gathered for the annual reunion."
"The soldier was finally a homecomer, exhausted but relieved to be back with his family."
The regular plural is used for multiple people returning home.
"The homecomers were given flowers at the airport."
A homecomer is someone for whom the journey ends not in a new place, but at home.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does homecomer come from?
The word is formed within English from “home” and the suffix-like element “-comer,” meaning one who comes or arrives. Its sense follows naturally from that structure: a person who comes home. The related word “homecoming” developed along similar lines and is now more common in general use.
Related word forms
How homecomer is actually used
The word is relatively uncommon in everyday speech and is more typical of journalism, formal writing, and literary contexts. It usually implies a return after a meaningful or extended absence, rather than a brief trip.