Accommodation vs Residence

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

 AccommodationResidence
MeaningA place to stay or live, like a hotel or apartment.A place where someone lives.
CEFR levelB1C1
Part of speechnounnoun
Usage notesUsed when talking about places where people stay, usually temporary. Avoid in very formal writing unless specifically referring to housing arrangements for events.Used in formal contexts, such as legal documents or discussions about property. Less common in casual conversation; 'home' or 'house' might be preferred in those settings.

Frequently asked questions: Accommodation vs Residence

What's the difference between "Accommodation" and "Residence"?

"Accommodation" means: A place to stay or live, like a hotel or apartment. "Residence" means: A place where someone lives.

When should I use "Accommodation" and "Residence"?

They can all be used in everyday English.

Are "Accommodation" and "Residence" the same CEFR level?

"Accommodation" is at B1, "Residence" is at C1 on the CEFR scale.

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