Roommate: meaning, definitions and examples
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roommate
[ ˈrumˌmeɪt ]
living situation
A roommate is a person with whom one shares a living space, usually an apartment or dormitory. This arrangement often involves splitting costs such as rent, utilities, and groceries. Roommates can be friends, acquaintances, or even strangers who decide to cohabitate for financial or social reasons. Having a roommate can significantly affect one's living experience, providing companionship or, conversely, sometimes leading to conflict due to differing lifestyles and habits.
Synonyms
cohabitant, flatmate, housemate
Examples of usage
- I asked my roommate to help me with the dishes.
- Many students choose to have a roommate to save money.
- It's important to communicate well with your roommate.
- My roommate likes to play music late at night.
Translations
Translations of the word "roommate" in other languages:
🇵🇹 colega de quarto
🇮🇳 रूममेट
🇩🇪 Mitbewohner
🇮🇩 teman sekamar
🇺🇦 сусід по кімнаті
🇵🇱 współlokator
🇯🇵 ルームメイト
🇫🇷 camarade de chambre
🇪🇸 compañero de cuarto
🇹🇷 oda arkadaşı
🇰🇷 룸메이트
🇸🇦 زميل الغرفة
🇨🇿 spolubydlící
🇸🇰 spolubývajúci
🇨🇳 室友
🇸🇮 sopotnik
🇮🇸 herbergi félagi
🇰🇿 тұрғын үй жолдасы
🇬🇪 თანამყოფელი
🇦🇿 otaq yoldaşı
🇲🇽 compañero de cuarto
Etymology
The word 'roommate' originated in the early 20th century, combining 'room' and 'mate' to describe a sharing arrangement among individuals in the same living space. The term reflects the evolving concept of companionship in housing, particularly in communal living situations such as college dormitories and shared apartments. Before 'roommate' became popular, terms like 'housemate' or 'flatmate' were often used in various regions to designate someone with whom one shares a living environment. As urbanization increased, the need for affordable housing led to more people seeking roommates, thereby embedding the term into everyday language. Today, the use of 'roommate' extends beyond just students and young adults, applying to people of all ages who choose to live together to share costs or lifestyle in communal living settings.