residential
Americanadjective
-
of or relating to residence or to residences.
a residential requirement for a doctorate.
-
suited for or characterized by private residences.
a residential neighborhood.
adjective
-
suitable for or allocated for residence
a residential area
-
relating to or having residence
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of residential
Explanation
In the same way that an “industrial area” is a place of industry where people work, a residential area is made up of houses and apartment buildings — places where people reside. Residential is an adjective that expresses a relationship with homes, apartments, or any place where people live. You might refer to a residential building, a residential neighborhood, or a residential block. Something that is deemed “for residential use” is designed for use at home or rather than for business or commercial use.
Vocabulary lists containing residential
Out of My Mind
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Content Summary G.3: Spatial Reorganization
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Al Capone Does My Shirts
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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.
Morningside High will eventually be torn down for a residential development.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 9, 2026
In total, there are 4,411 residential buildings 36ft and over identified with unsafe cladding.
From BBC • Jul. 9, 2026
"I do continue to consider the conversion of office space into residential space as part of our answer to the housing crisis," the New York mayor said.
From Barron's • Jul. 8, 2026
On a tree-lined street in the affluent Duboce Triangle residential neighbourhood of San Francisco, the top half of a white, Edwardian-era, detached house was drawing visitors from prospective buyers.
From BBC • Jul. 8, 2026
"This is the west wing of the palace. The residential homes of the royal family are here."
From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton
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.
