at home

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at home

1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see at,‎ home. In one's place of residence.

   Sorry sir, I left my homework at home.

   "Where's David?" "He stayed at home to fix the washing machine."

   The team has won three-quarters of its games at home, but less than half of away games.

2. (idiomatic) At ease; comfortable.

   I feel at home around my girlfriend's family.

   I'm right at home in my new university.

   He's quite at home discussing French literature.

3. In the home of one's parents.

   I can't believe it: she's 28 and still lives at home.

4. In a private residence as opposed to a nursing home.

   He is really elderly and can still live at home.

5. (sports, of a team) Playing at its usual venue, playing as the home team.

   The team has a 6–2 record at home.

   • 2024 April 17, “Rural railways: do they deliver?”, in RAIL, number 1007, page 58:

     Today is match day, Grimsby Town are at home, and the ground is walking distance from New Clee station. So, visiting football supporters coming by train have to change at Grimsby Town [station]. That's a real pain.

   Antonyms: away, away from home, on the road

6. (dated) Available or willing to receive visitors.
   • 1922 Emily Post, Etiquette, Chapter 10: Cards and Visits

     When a servant at a door says “Not at home,” this phrase means that the lady of the house is “Not at home to visitors.” This answer neither signifies nor implies—nor is it intended to—that Mrs. Jones is out of the house.

• at-homeness
• not-at-homeness
• when it's at home
• when he/she's at home
• make oneself at home

at home (plural at homes)

1. (historical) A type of reception or party whereby the host or hostess says that he or she will be ‘at home’ during specific hours, when guests can come and go as they like.
   • 1924, Ford Madox Ford, Some Do Not... (Parade's End), Penguin, published 2012, page 4:

     And, as near as possible to the dear ladies who gave the At Homes, Macmaster could keep up the talk – a little magisterially.

   • 1985, Peter Carey, Illywhacker, Faber and Faber, published 2003, page 104:

     She had gone, with high hemlines, to ‘At Homes’ and balls, and left me jealous, half mad, to cluck with her parents who were concerned she might be mixing with a fast crowd.

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