What does housemate mean?
A housemate is someone who shares a house or other dwelling with another person. The word is useful when the shared home is important to the description, rather than merely a shared bedroom: two people may live together in the same house while occupying separate rooms and having separate leases. It can refer to friends, partners, students, or relatives, and it may also denote the relationship between those people or the living arrangement itself. “Housemate” is natural in both British and American English and carries a broadly neutral, everyday tone. Compared with “roommate,” it is the broader term; compared with “flatmate,” it is more widely used and does not imply a flat or apartment. In conversation, it can also carry a slightly comic or domestic note when describing household disagreements, chores, or the unexpected details of sharing a home.
nounA person who shares a house or other dwelling with another person, especially as part of an agreed living arrangement. The term can also refer to the relationship or shared residence itself.
- A person who shares a house or other dwelling with another person.
- The relationship or shared living arrangement between people who live together in the same home.
"Her housemate cooks dinner while she is at work."
"We have been housemates for three years."
"The agreement between the housemates covers rent, utilities, and household chores."
Use the plural when referring to more than one person sharing a household.
"The housemates divided the cleaning duties evenly."
A housemate is more than a roommate: the word captures the practical and social reality of sharing a home.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of housemate
“Housemate” is a compound formed from “house” and “mate,” a word that originally referred to a companion or fellow member of a group. The compound became established in the late 19th century for someone sharing a household. Its meaning follows the ordinary sense of “mate” as a companion, while “house” specifies the shared setting. Modern usage extends beyond a family household to shared accommodation such as student housing, flats, and other group residences.
Related word forms
How housemate is actually used
The word is common in both British and American English. It is generally neutral and can describe either a romantic partner, a friend, or another person sharing a home; in some contexts, it may suggest that the relationship is primarily domestic and informal.
Easily confused with housemate
A roommate is someone who shares a room, whereas a housemate may share a larger home, including common living areas, and need not occupy the same bedroom.