Condo: meaning, definitions and examples

Primarily used in North America, a condo (short for condominium) refers to a private apartment that is owned by an individual rather than rented. Condos usually come with shared common areas like gyms and pools.

• She's moving into a new condo downtown
• The condo association takes care of the building's maintenance

Used globally, particularly in North America, an apartment refers to a rented residential unit within a building. Apartments can range in size and amenities.

• He found a new apartment close to his job
• They're looking for a two-bedroom apartment with a sea view

Commonly used in British English, a flat refers to a residential unit within a building. It can be either rented or owned and is synonymous with 'apartment' in North American English.

• She lives in a cosy flat in London
• They bought a flat near the university

Widely used in Australia and New Zealand, a unit is a term similar to 'apartment' or 'flat,' referring to a self-contained living space within a larger building. It can also be rented or owned.

• They just moved into a new unit in the city
• The real estate agent showed us several units in the building