What does neighbourhood mean?
A neighbourhood is an area within a town, city, or settlement, especially one distinguished by its buildings, history, or character. It can also mean the people who live in that area, viewed as a community, or a person's general surroundings. The word is useful because it refers not only to a geographical place but also to the social relationships and shared identity associated with it. British and American English differ mainly in spelling: neighbourhood is the traditional British form, while neighborhood is the standard American form. Expressions such as 'in the neighbourhood' and 'neighbourhood watch' show the word's common uses in describing location, community, and collective civic responsibility.
nounA neighbourhood is an area of a town or city and the people who live in it. The term can also refer more broadly to a person's surrounding area or community.
- An area of a town, city, or other settlement, especially one identified by its character or location.
- The people living in such an area, considered as a community.
- A person's surrounding area or vicinity.
"They live in a quiet neighbourhood near the river."
"The old part of the neighbourhood is popular with tourists."
"She was one of the most respected people in the neighbourhood."
"A storm was approaching the neighbourhood, so the fishermen returned to port."
The plural is formed by adding -s; it is commonly used when referring to different districts or communities within a city.
"The city has several lively neighbourhoods."
A neighbourhood is both a place on the map and the community of people who share it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does neighbourhood come from?
Neighbourhood developed in Middle English from forms based on Old French neighour, a word for a nearby person or inhabitant, and ultimately on the Latin word vicinus, meaning 'near' or 'neighboring'. The development of the noun meaning a district followed the use of the word for the people living near one another. The British spelling with '-u-' and the American spelling without it reflect the differing spelling conventions of the two varieties of English.
Related word forms
How neighbourhood is actually used
Neighbourhood is the standard British spelling; neighborhood is the standard American spelling. In British English, it is often used broadly for a person's local community, whereas in American English the same sense is also common. The word is generally neutral and is widely used in formal and informal contexts.
Easily confused with neighbourhood
A neighbour is an individual person living near someone else, whereas a neighbourhood is an area or community containing several people.
Neighbourhood is the standard British spelling, while neighborhood is the standard American spelling of the same word.