Talking about home in English: 12 useful expressions
What comes to mind when you hear the word home? Your own bed? A familiar meal? The people you can completely relax with?
This month, we're exploring the theme of home. So I thought I'd share some useful English to help you talk about the places, people and everyday things that make you feel at home.
I've grouped these 12 expressions by type. Choose a few that connect with your own life and try using them in a conversation, a short piece of writing or a voice note.
Describing a home: adjective + noun
1. A cosy home
A home that feels warm, comfortable and inviting. Cosy often suggests somewhere you can relax, perhaps with soft lighting, a blanket and a cup of tea.
“It’s a small flat, but she’s made it into a really cosy home.”
2. A loving home
A home where people receive love, affection and care. This describes the relationships within the home.
“I grew up in a loving home where there was always someone to talk to.”
3. A safe home
A home where you feel protected from danger or harm.
“Having a safe home means I can close the door and relax.”
Everyday home life: noun phrases
4. Home comforts
The familiar things that make life at home comfortable and pleasant. These might include your own bed, a favourite mug or a hot shower.
“I love travelling, but I miss my home comforts, especially my own bed.”
5. Home cooking
Food prepared at home. We often use this expression when talking affectionately about familiar meals or family recipes.
“After a week of eating out, I was ready for some home cooking.”
6. A childhood home
The home where you lived as a child. If you moved around, you might have more than one childhood home.
“My dad still lives in my childhood home, so I go back quite often.”
Things we do: verb phrases
7. Get home
Arrive home after being somewhere else.
“I didn’t get home until nine, so I just made some toast.”
8. Leave home
This can mean leaving your house for the day or moving out of your family home to live independently.
“I leave home at eight every morning.”
“I left home at eighteen to go to university.”
9. Work from home
Do your job from your home.
“I work from home, so taking the dog out gives me a reason to get outside.”
A quick grammar tip: we say go home, come home and get home, without to. For example: “I’m going home,” but “I’m going to my sister’s house.”
Comfort and belonging: expressions
10. Feel at home
Feel comfortable, relaxed and welcome somewhere. You can feel at home in a city, a café or a group of people.
“Everyone was so friendly that I felt at home straight away.”
11. Make yourself at home
A friendly invitation to relax in someone else’s home.
“Come in and make yourself at home. I’ll put the kettle on.”
12. A home from home
A place where you feel as comfortable and welcome as you do in your own home. In American English, you’ll often hear a home away from home.
“My aunt’s house has always been a home from home for me.”
Over to you
What helps you feel at home?
Come and join us on Substack where we’re talking about the theme of Home throughout October.
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