Domestic: meaning, definitions and examples

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domestic

[dəˈmɛstɪk ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

household

relating to the running of a home or to family relations

Synonyms

family-oriented, home-related, household.

Examples of usage

domestic chores
domestic violence is a serious issue

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

animals

tamed and kept by humans

Synonyms

domesticated, pet, tame.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
domestic	This word can also refer to issues or activities within a specific country, often used in politics and economics. The government is focusing on domestic policy. Domestic flights are usually cheaper than international ones.
tame	Used to describe wild animals that have been trained to be calm and not afraid of humans. It can also mean to control or subdue something. The lion in the circus is surprisingly tame. It took a lot of effort to tame the wild horse. He had to tame his anger before speaking.
pet	Used when referring to animals that people keep primarily for companionship and entertainment, rather than work or food. My pet rabbit loves to hop around the garden. Goldfish are one of the easiest pets to care for.
domesticated	This word is used to describe animals that have been trained or bred for living with humans. These animals rely on humans for food and shelter. Domesticated animals like cows and sheep are essential for farming. Dogs were among the first animals to be domesticated.

Examples of usage

domestic pets like dogs and cats
domesticated animals

^{Context #3 | Noun}

worker

a person employed in the service of a household

Synonyms

household staff, maid, servant.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
domestic	Use 'domestic' when talking about something related to the home or family life, often emphasizing the personal or private aspect. She has a lot of domestic responsibilities They bought a new domestic appliance for their kitchen
servant	Use 'servant' when talking about someone employed to perform tasks for another person, usually in a home. It has a more historical context and can often carry a negative connotation, implying less equality. In the past, many wealthy families had several servants He treated her like a servant, which was very unfair
household staff	Use 'household staff' when referring to a collective group of employees working in a home, often in larger or wealthier households. The household staff includes the cook, the gardener, and the butler The household staff was well-trained and very professional
maid	Use 'maid' when talking about a female employee working in a home, usually performing cleaning and other domestic tasks. It can sometimes be considered old-fashioned or less respectful. The maid came every morning to clean the rooms She hired a maid to help with the housework

Examples of usage

domestic workers help with cleaning and cooking

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from Latin 'domesticus', meaning 'belonging to a house'.
In Latin, 'domus' means 'house', which is the root for several English words like 'domicile'.

Cultural Significance

In many societies, domestic roles have historically been linked to women, highlighting gender dynamics.
Domesticity is often celebrated in literature and art as a symbol of comfort and stability.

Sociology

The concept covers areas like domestic violence, which is an important topic in social justice discussions.
Understanding domestic settings is crucial in studies of family dynamics and societal structures.

Pop Culture

Numerous TV shows, like 'Home Improvement' and 'The Brady Bunch', revolve around domestic life.
Domestic themes appear in songs about home and family, like 'Home' by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros.

Animals

Domesticated animals, such as cats and dogs, have been companions to humans for thousands of years.
The domestication process involved selective breeding for traits beneficial to living alongside humans.

Translations

Translations of the word "domestic" in other languages:

🇵🇹 doméstico

🇮🇳 घरेलू

🇩🇪 häuslich

🇮🇩 rumah tangga

🇺🇦 домашній

🇵🇱 domowy

🇯🇵 家庭の (かていの)

🇫🇷 domestique

🇪🇸 doméstico

🇹🇷 evcil

🇰🇷 가정의

🇸🇦 منزلي

🇨🇿 domácí

🇸🇰 domáci

🇨🇳 家庭的

🇸🇮 domač

🇮🇸 heimilis

🇰🇿 үй

🇬🇪 შინაური

🇦🇿 ev

🇲🇽 doméstico

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #1,149, this word is part of core intermediate vocabulary. It appears regularly in various contexts and is essential for natural-sounding English.

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1146 add
1147 communication
1148 occurred
1149 domestic
1150 glass
1151 image
1152 paragraph
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