English Reference
adjective · noun

domestic

adj. · n.
US /dəˈmɛstɪk/ UK /dəmˈɛstɪk/ do·mes·tic

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate

    adj.relating to the home, house, or family life.

    adj.relating to the household, the family, or the running of a home.

    Simple

    They share the domestic chores like cooking and cleaning every evening.

    In context

    The shift in domestic roles has seen more men taking an active part in childcare and household management than in previous generations.

    Usage

    Often used before nouns like 'chores', 'life', or 'violence'.

  2. 02 B1 Intermediate

    adj.relating to your own country rather than foreign countries.

    adj.existing or occurring inside a particular country; not foreign or international.

    Simple

    The airline offers both domestic and international flights from this airport.

    In context

    The president focused his speech on domestic issues such as healthcare and education rather than foreign policy.

    Usage

    Common in business and political contexts to distinguish from 'international'.

  3. 03 B2 Upper Intermediate Science

    adj.an animal that lives with humans, like a pet or a farm animal.

    adj.referring to an animal species that has been tamed and kept by humans for work, food, or companionship.

    Simple

    Dogs were the first domestic animals to live alongside humans.

    In context

    The domestic cat retains many hunting instincts from its wild ancestors despite centuries of living in human households.

    tamehouse trained
  4. 04 C1 Advanced Formal

    n.a person who is paid to work in someone else's home, like a cleaner or cook.

    n.a person employed to perform household tasks in a private residence.

    Simple

    In the past, large houses required many domestics to keep them running.

    In context

    The legislation was designed to protect the rights of domestics and ensure they received a fair minimum wage.

    Teacher's tip

    This noun use is somewhat dated or very formal; 'domestic worker' is more common in modern professional contexts.

  5. 05 C1 Advanced British EnglishInformal

    n.a fight or argument between people who live together.

    n.a dispute or violent confrontation between family members or partners in a home.

    Simple

    The police were called to the flat because of a loud domestic.

    In context

    Neighbors reported hearing a domestic next door, but the noise subsided before the authorities arrived.

    Usage

    Often used as a shorthand for 'domestic dispute' or 'domestic disturbance'.

Usage domestic abuse · domestic industry · domestic product

Heathrow, in west London, recorded 40 million passengers in total in the first half of the year, including both domestic and international travellers, its busiest first half on record.

The Guardian· 13 Aug 2026

Domestic critics said the army’s failures in Qusra were more the result of a lack of will than shortage of forces.

The Guardian· 13 Aug 2026

From Middle French domestique, from Latin domesticus, from domus (“house, home”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Common
Updated