# homes

/ˈhoʊmz/ (US) · /hˈəʊmz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/homes
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. places to live

noun · CEFR A1

more than one home; the houses or apartments where people live.

For teachers: the plural form of 'home', referring to multiple domestic residences or dwellings.

- The charity helps build new homes for families in need after the flood.
- The government's new housing initiative aims to provide affordable homes for first-time buyers in urban areas where prices have skyrocketed.

### 2. friend or peer

noun · CEFR C2 · Slang · American English · Informal

a slang word you use to address a male friend or someone from your neighborhood.

For teachers: a slang term of address for a male friend or acquaintance, often used within specific urban subcultures.

- Hey homes, what are you doing later tonight?
- He greeted his old friend with a casual 'What's up, homes?' as they met on the corner where they grew up.

Usage: Often spelled 'holmes' in its original slang context.

Teaching tip: This is highly specific to certain American dialects and subcultures; learners should be aware of it through media but avoid using it in formal or professional settings.

## Examples

- What's up, homes?
- I haven't seen you around the neighborhood in a while, homes.
- The dialogue in the film uses terms like 'homes' to establish a sense of shared history and regional identity among the characters.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.