English Reference
noun · verb

dwelling

n. · v.
US /ˈdwɛɫɪŋ/ UK /dwˈɛlɪŋ/ dwelling UK spelling dwellings

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

    n.a house, apartment, or other place where a person lives.

    n.a building or place of shelter in which people live; a formal synonym for home or residence.

    Simple

    The old stone dwelling stood alone on the side of the hill.

    In context

    The local council is responsible for ensuring that every dwelling in the district meets modern safety and insulation standards.

    Usage

    Often used in legal, architectural, or official contexts rather than casual conversation.

  2. 02 C2 Proficiency Literary

    v.the act of living in a specific place.

    v.the state of residing or inhabiting a particular location.

    Simple

    The story tells of strange creatures dwelling deep inside the forest.

    In context

    The documentary explores the unique challenges faced by communities dwelling in the high-altitude regions of the Andes.

If you spend too much time dwelling on this you’ll feel as if you’re in Waiting for Godot.

The Guardian· 3 Sept 2026

Some neighboring Native groups called the Shoshone the “Grass House People,” after their traditional grass thatch dwellings.

Smithsonian Magazine· 28 Jul 2026

Etymology 1

From Middle English dwellynge, dwellyng (“delay, continuance, abode”), equivalent to dwell + -ing. More at dwell.

Etymology 2

From dwell + -ing.

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

This entry
Origin Middle English dwellynge
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated