homestay

IPA/ˈhəʊmsteɪ/
IPA/ˈhəʊmsteɪ/

homestay — noun

  • homestaysingular
  • homestaysplural

1. an arrangement in which a traveller, especially a student or tourist, lives temp

1.nounB1
Definition

an arrangement in which a traveller, especially a student or tourist, lives temporarily with a local family in the family's own home, usually paying for the room and meals.

Example

Jing found a homestay in Paris through her language school's recommendation.

During his homestay in Tokyo, Minh learned to cook traditional Japanese dishes.

collocation: during his ~

Common collocations
  • arrange a homestay
  • find a homestay
  • homestay family
  • homestay program
  • homestay experience
  • stay with a homestay family
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

a + ~

~ + family

~ + program

Usage Note

Commonly used as a countable noun: 'I found a great homestay in Kyoto.' When referring to the host family themselves, native speakers say 'homestay family' rather than just 'homestay'.

Common Mistakes

I booked a homestay hotel.
I booked a homestay.
'Homestay' already describes the accommodation type; adding 'hotel' creates a confusing mixed term.
She lives in a homestay permanently.
She lives with a homestay family for the semester.
A homestay is a temporary arrangement, not a permanent living situation.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Homestay, host family, bed and breakfast, and guesthouse are all accommodation options for travellers, but they differ in emphasis. A homestay highlights the cultural-exchange arrangement — you live with a local family in their home. 'Host family' refers to the people (the family themselves), not the arrangement: 'My host family was very welcoming.' A bed and breakfast (B&B) is a small commercial lodging where you pay for a room and breakfast, but you typically do not share family life. A guesthouse is a small inn or private home that rents rooms to travellers, usually without the expectation of sharing meals or activities with the owners. For example: 'She chose a homestay in Kyoto to practice Japanese.' 'He prefers a guesthouse for more privacy.'

homestay ↗host familybed and breakfast ↗guesthouse ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • homestay family
  • homestay program
  • homestay experience
  • homestay accommodation

Phrases

  • live with a homestay family
  • arrange a homestay
  • stay in a homestay

Prepositions

  • in a homestay
  • through a homestay program
  • with a homestay family

Etymology

Old EnglishOld FrenchEnglish

The word 'homestay' is a compound formed from 'home' (from Old English 'hām', meaning 'dwelling place') and 'stay' (from Old French 'estayer', meaning 'to remain'). It entered English usage in the 1970s and 1980s, when student exchange programs and cultural immersion travel became more widespread. Before this compound was coined, the concept was described with phrases such as 'living with a family' or 'family stay'.