homey
1 Americanadjective
noun
adjective
noun
Usage
What does homey mean? Homey is used to describe a place as cozy, comfortable, and inviting. It’s often used to describe a home that feels this way. You might discuss ways of making your place (or a particular room in it) more homey, typically by decorating it in a way that makes it cozier or more comfortable. Homey can also be used to describe a place that’s not a home but that’s comfortable and inviting like your own home, such as a hotel room, cozy restaurant, or nicely decorated office. Example: The new fireplace makes the living room feel so homey. Unrelatedly, homey is an alternative spelling of the noun homie, which is a slang term for a close friend. It can be used to refer to a friend, as in This is my homey Russel, or as a term of address for one, as in Hey, homey!Example: I’m having a night out with just me and my homeys.
Synonym Usage
See homely.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of homey1
First recorded in 1850–55; home + -y 1
Origin of homey2
First recorded in 1990–95
Vocabulary lists containing homey
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
"Calgary, where I'm from, feels a little less like homey than LA," McRae said.
From BBC ● Feb. 5, 2026
I believe that companies should focus on how to make the workplace more comfortable, even homey.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 5, 2026
The homey feeling they shared was supported by a band that has the stylistic grace of a well-honed orchestra.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 15, 2025
Do they matter, these domestic rituals, these little homey things?
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 4, 2025
There was something comforting and homey in the scent of damp wood and livestock.
From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros
I know about five homeys that went through almost the exact same scenario last week!
From Time Magazine Archive
Extras: "You go to parties and have acquaintances, but when it comes down to kicking it with the homeys, I only have a couple really close friends."
From Time Magazine Archive
I called the homeys, got a case of beer, and we all sat on the porch, turned up the volume, and let The Cherry Valance rock.
From Time Magazine Archive
Knox Godoy He had the heritage going for him: Two badass dads and a badass crew of homeys in Baker 2G that seemed could only lead to an immediate pro model.
From Time Magazine Archive
What I got is right now, right here, spending time with my homeys.
From "Bronx Masquerade" by Nikki Grimes
Plant-based dinner with the homies We love going to this spot called Salaya in Thai Town.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2025
Shout out to Spanto and shout out to all of the homies who work for them as well.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 1, 2024
“I doubt anyone is gonna speak for him. Ima verify with the homies too.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 26, 2023
UAW counsel Benjamin Dictor on Sunday morning posted on the social media site X, formerly known as Twitter: "All my homies hate companies that won't agree to fair contracts for their workers."
From Reuters ● Oct. 29, 2023
“I got some new li’l homies running with me now,” says Scrap.
From "On the Come Up" by Angie Thomas
Battery-operated wall sconces, she says, are another inexpensive addition that can make an apartment feel homier.
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 30, 2026
These colors work especially well in large, cavernous rooms and spaces in which the goal is to make a space feel less cavernous and homier and more comfortable.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 30, 2024
It was so much homier, so much more filling, so much more home-style than the other, oftentimes heinous lunch offerings.
From Salon ● Jan. 26, 2024
The softer light makes even the sparest of holiday décor feel homier.
From Washington Times ● Dec. 6, 2023
In time the place was homier than his own room at the Y. “How ’bout a corn muffin?” said Grayson, choosing something easy on his bad teeth and aching gums.
From "Maniac Magee" by Jerry Spinelli
And homiest of all is the shop’s impressive, one might even say fanatical, collection of those aforementioned typewriters.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 22, 2023
The homiest of the lot are “Northwest,” an ode to the PNW, and a loving number about Clark’s grandmother titled “She Smoked in the House.”
From Seattle Times ● May 16, 2023
Dasani’s housefather tries to soften the landing by making his homiest dish — lasagna.
From New York Times ● Sep. 28, 2021
In a trolley car that is rumored to have driven the capital’s streets between 1894 and 1912, Luxury Diner serves the city’s heartiest and homiest breakfast and lunch.
From Washington Post ● Jul. 10, 2019
Before the new life comes the mother is absorbed in getting the home ready; the best and softest and homiest home that her mother-love can think of, and her fingers fix.
From Quiet Talks with World Winners by Gordon, S. D. (Samuel Dickey)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
