Word
homecoming
Phoneticshome·com·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈhoʊmˌkəmɪŋ/
UK/hˈəʊmkʌmɪŋ/
Definitions
01returning home
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. the act of coming back to your home or your country after being away for a long time.
n. the act of returning to one's home, family, or native country after a prolonged absence.
“The soldier's homecoming was a joyful event for the whole family.”
“After ten years of living abroad, her homecoming was bittersweet as she noticed how much the old neighbourhood had changed in her absence.”
02school celebration
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun American English
n. an annual event at American schools and universities to welcome back former students.
n. an annual tradition in North American secondary and tertiary education involving a football game and social events to welcome back alumni.
“She bought a beautiful new dress for the homecoming dance next week.”
“The university's homecoming weekend featured a massive parade through the town centre followed by a highly anticipated football match against their rivals.”
Usage
Often used as a modifier before another noun, such as 'homecoming game' or 'homecoming queen'.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“McGurn was born and raised in Glasgow and studied painting in Dundee, so this show is something of a homecoming.” “Playing music – even on an unfamiliar instrument – feels like a homecoming.” Etymology
From Middle English hom-comyng, home komyng, home-cumyng, home-commynge, equivalent to home + coming. Probably an alteration of earlier Middle English hom-come, homkome, hame-come, ham-cume, from Old English hāmcyme (“homecoming; return”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/homecoming