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at home

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at home

1. Literally, in one's place of residence. I was at home all day and the repairman never came. I'm at home now, so feel free to come over.

2. Very comfortable or proficient in a particular area. My mother is at home in the kitchen and can make just about any dish.

3. Matching or suiting a particular environment. Considering her aesthetic, I think that antique chair would be at home in her store.

4. Of a sports team, playing in one's home arena or field, as opposed to one's opponent's facility. The Yankees have been on the road for awhile now. When will they be at home again?

See also: home

at home

at or in one's dwelling. Is Mary at home, or is she still at work? What time will she be at home?

See also: home

at home

comfortable and relaxed She's beginning to feel at home in her new job. He is equally at home with people his own age or with his older brother's friends.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form make yourself at home: Sit down and make yourself at home while I get you some coffee.

See also: home

at home

1. In one's own residence, town, or country. For example, Mary was not at home when I called, or Tourists in a foreign country often behave more rudely than they do at home. This idiom was first recorded in a ninth-century treatise.

2. Ready to receive a visitor, as in We are always at home to our neighbor's children. This usage gave rise to the noun at-home, meaning a reception to which guests are invited on a specific day at specific hours (also see open house). [c. 1600]

3. Also, at home with. Comfortable and familiar, as in Mary always makes us feel at home, or I've never been at home with his style of management. [Early 1500s] Also see at ease, def. 1.

4. Also, at home with. Proficient, well-versed in, as in Young John is so much at home with numbers that he may well become a mathematician, or Chris is really at home in French. [Late 1700s]

5. In team sports, playing on one's own field or in one's own town. For example, The Red Sox always do better at home than they do at away games.

See also: home

at home

1. Available to receive visitors: at home on Thursdays.

2. Comfortable and relaxed; at ease: at home in diplomatic circles.

3. Feeling an easy competence and familiarity: at home in French.

See also: home