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Synonyms

residential

American  
[rez-i-den-shuhl] / ˌrɛz ɪˈdɛn ʃəl /

adjective

  1. An image of the word residential as defined by of or relating to residence or to residences.

    of or relating to residence or to residences.

    a residential requirement for a doctorate.

  2. suited for or characterized by private residences.

    a residential neighborhood.


residential British  
/ ˌrɛzɪˈdɛnʃəl /

adjective

  1. suitable for or allocated for residence

    a residential area

  2. relating to or having residence

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms


Etymology

Origin of residential

1645–55; < Medieval Latin residenti ( a ) residence + -al 1


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.

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Vocabulary lists containing residential

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:

Most of its residential customers are in a three-tier price structure that changes seasonally.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 17, 2026

Hezbollah said the payments would be issued in quarterly installments, with families eligible for up to $14,000 per residential unit.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

A neighbor said police initially arrived at the residential building approximately one hour after the shooting.

From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026

SpaceX, which already offers its Starlink residential satellite internet service, has made no secret of the fact that it has deeper ambitions in the world of telecommunications.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 13, 2026

Instead, we steered clear of the old residential neighborhoods bordering the Levee and headed deeper into the vice district’s underbelly.

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros

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