boarding-house

boarding-house

A family rents rooms in a quiet boarding-house near the park.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A private house providing accommodation and meals for paying guests: A "boarding-house" is a private residence where rooms are rented out to lodgers, typically including meals as part of the arrangement. It is distinct from a hotel in being more informal and often family-run.
Usage Examples
  • Noun:
    • She rented a room in a boarding-house near the university. (She paid for lodging and meals in a private home.)
    • The old boarding-house had a communal dining room where all guests ate together. (The house provided shared meals for its residents.)
Advanced Usage

  • "to run a boarding-house": to operate such an establishment.

    • After retiring, they decided to run a boarding-house by the seaside. (They managed a private lodging business with meals.)

  • "boarding-house reach": an idiomatic expression referring to a long, greedy reach across a dining table, supposedly typical of boarders eager to get food.

    • He used his boarding-house reach to grab the last piece of cake. (He stretched far across the table, as if in a competitive dining situation.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Boarder (n): a person who pays for lodging and meals in a boarding-house.

    • The boarder paid his rent weekly. (The lodger paid for his room and food.)

  • Boarding (n): the provision of accommodation and meals.

    • Full boarding includes three meals a day. (Complete lodging with meals.)
Synonyms
  • Lodging house: a house where rooms are rented, often with meals.
  • Guesthouse: a private home offering accommodation to paying guests, similar but often smaller and more informal.
  • Pension: a term used in Europe for a small hotel or boarding-house.
Related Idioms

  • "boarding-house keeper": the person who manages a boarding-house.

    • The boarding-house keeper was known for her excellent cooking. (The owner and manager of the establishment.)

  • "boarding-house rules": informal, strict regulations typical of such establishments.

    • Under boarding-house rules, all guests must be quiet after 10 p.m. (The house's specific policies for lodgers.)