Away vs. Home — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 20, 2024
Away refers to being elsewhere from a fixed point, often implying travel or distance from origin, while home denotes a place of residence or origin, emphasizing permanence and belonging.
Difference Between Away and Home
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Key Differences
Away suggests a location or situation apart from a central or usual place, often associated with being out or traveling. Whereas, home implies a setting of permanence and familiarity, typically a place where one lives or feels a strong sense of attachment.
While away can denote a temporary state or a short-term departure from one's usual environment, home represents stability and ongoing presence in a specific location, serving as a base or central point for personal and family activities.
Away often carries connotations of adventure, exploration, or necessity, such as going away for work or vacation. On the other hand, home is linked with comfort, security, and identity, reflecting a space that is personally significant and often emotionally invested.
In sports and various contexts, being away means participating or being situated in a non-home environment, often facing the challenges of unfamiliar settings or lack of local support. Conversely, being at home offers advantages like familiarity with the environment and supportive home crowds.
Away is also used in metaphors and expressions to describe detachment or distance from a situation, such as "breaking away from tradition". Whereas, home is frequently used metaphorically to denote returning to one’s roots or core values, as in "bringing it home".
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Being in a place other than the primary or usual location.
The primary living space where one resides.
Connotation
Implies distance, travel, or temporary departure.
Suggests permanence, comfort, and belonging.
Usage in Context
Used to describe being out from usual environments, e.g., away games.
Used to denote the place of residence or origin, e.g., home town.
Emotional Implication
Often associated with adventure or temporary change.
Evokes feelings of security and stability.
Metaphorical Use
Can signify breaking from usual practices or norms.
Often symbolizes return to core values or origins.
Compare with Definitions
Away
Not present at a usual or expected place.
She is away on vacation.
Home
The place where one lives permanently, especially as a member of a family or household.
They finally arrived home after a long journey.
Away
At a distance from a particular place or person.
He moved away from the window.
Home
Where something is invented, founded, or developed.
Italy is considered the home of pasta.
Away
Into a proper place for storage or safekeeping.
Put your toys away.
Home
Relating to the place where one lives.
I have some home repairs to do this weekend.
Away
From a particular state or condition.
He turned away embarrassed.
Home
The end point of a race or journey.
The runner collapsed just before he reached home.
Away
Out of existence or consideration.
The threat has passed away.
Home
Focused or directed towards one's place of residence or origin.
She sent the parcel home.
Away
From a particular thing or place
Ran away from the lion.
Sent the children away to boarding school.
Home
A home, or domicile, is a space used as a permanent or semi-permanent residence for an individual, group or family. It is a fully or semi sheltered space and can have both interior and exterior aspects to it.
Away
At or to a distance in space or time
We live a block away from the park.
Home
The place where one lives permanently, especially as a member of a family or household
The floods forced many people to flee their homes
I was nineteen when I left home and went to college
Away
At or by a considerable interval
Away back in the 17th century.
Away off on the horizon.
Home
An institution for people needing professional care or supervision
An old people's home
Away
In a different direction; aside
Glanced away.
Home
The finishing point in a race
He was four fences from home
Away
On the way
We want to get away early in the day.
Home
Relating to the place where one lives
I don't have your home address
Away
In or into storage or safekeeping
Put the toys away.
Jewels locked away in a safe.
Home
(of a sports fixture) played at the team's own ground
A home win
Their first home match of the season
Away
Out of existence or notice
The music faded away.
Home
Denoting the administrative centre of an organization
The company has moved its home office
Away
So as to remove, separate, or eliminate
Chipped the paint away.
Cleared away the debris.
Home
To or at the place where one lives
What time did he get home last night?
Away
From one's possession
Gave the tickets away.
Home
(of an animal) return by instinct to its territory after leaving it
A dozen geese homing to their summer nesting grounds
Away
Continuously; steadily
Toiled away at the project for more than a year.
Home
Move or be aimed towards (a target or destination) with great accuracy
More than 100 missiles were launched, homing in on radar emissions
Away
Freely; at will
Fire away!.
Home
Provide (an animal) with a home as a pet
Each year thousands of cats which could have been homed are being needlessly put down
Away
Absent
The neighbors are away.
Home
A place where one lives; a residence.
Away
Distant, as in space or time
The city is miles away. The game was still a week away.
Home
The physical structure within which one lives, such as a house or apartment.
Away
Played on an opponent's field or grounds
An away game.
Home
A dwelling place together with the family or social unit that occupies it; a household.
Away
In golf, having the ball lying farthest from the hole and properly playing first among competitors.
Home
An environment offering security and happiness.
Away
(Baseball) Out
Bases loaded, with two away.
Home
A valued place regarded as a refuge or place of origin.
Away
From a place, hence.
He went away on vacation.
Home
The place, such as a country or town, where one was born or has lived for a long period.
Away
Aside; off; in another direction.
I tried to approach him, but he turned away.
Home
The native habitat, as of a plant or animal.
Away
Aside, so as to discard something.
Throw away, chuck away, toss away
Home
The place where something is discovered, founded, developed, or promoted; a source.
Away
At a stated distance in time or space.
Christmas is only two weeks away.
Home
A headquarters; a home base.
Away
In or to something's usual or proper storage place.
I'll dry the dishes and you put them away.
Please file away these documents.
Home
(Baseball) Home plate.
Away
In or to a secure or out-of-the-way place.
The jewels were locked away in the safe.
He was shut away in the castle tower for six months.
Home
(Games) Home base.
Away
From a state or condition of being; out of existence.
Fade away, die away
Home
An institution where people are cared for
A home for the elderly.
Away
So as to remove or use up something.
The weather has worn away the inscription, and it is no longer legible.
Please wipe away this spilled drink.
That's where tourists go to hear great Cuban bands and dance the night away.
Home
The starting position of the cursor on a text-based computer display, usually in the upper left corner of the screen.
Away
Come away; go away; take away.
Away! Be gone! And don't let me see you round here again!
Home
A starting position within a computer application, such as the beginning of a line, file, or screen or the top of a chart or list.
Away
On; in continuance; without intermission or delay.
She's been in her room all day, working away at her computer.
Home
Of or relating to a home, especially to one's household or house
Home cooking.
Home furnishings.
Away
Without restraint.
You've got questions? Ask away!
I saw her whaling away at her detractors.
Home
Taking place in the home
Home care for the elderly.
Away
(Northern England) come on!; go on!
Home
Of, relating to, or being a place of origin or headquarters
The home office.
Away
Not here, gone, absent, unavailable, traveling; on vacation.
The master is away from home.
Would you pick up my mail while I'm away.
Home
(Sports) Relating to a team's sponsoring institution or to the place where it is franchised
A home game.
The home field advantage.
Away
At a specified distance in space, time, or figuratively.
He's miles away by now.
Spring is still a month away.
Home
Of, relating to, or being the keys used as base positions for the fingers in touch-typing
The home row on a standard keyboard consists of the keys for A, S, D, F, J, K, L,.
, and '.
Away
Not on one's home territory.
Next, they are playing away in Dallas.
Home
At, to, or toward the direction of home
Going home for lunch.
Away
Out.
Two men away in the bottom of the ninth.
Home
On or into the point at which something is directed
The arrow struck home.
Away
(golf) Being the player whose ball lies farthest from the hole (or, in disc golf, whose disc lies farthest from the target).
Home
To the center or heart of something; deeply
Your comments really hit home.
Away
To depart; to go to another place.
At 9 o'clock sharp he awayed to bed.
Home
To go or return to one's residence or base of operations.
Away
From a place; hence.
The sound is going away.
Have me away, for I am sore wounded.
Home
To guide (a missile or aircraft) to a target.
Away
Absent; gone; at a distance; as, the master is away from home.
Home
To arrange to have (an animal) placed in a home.
Away
Aside; off; in another direction.
The axis of rotation is inclined away from the sun.
Home
To take (an animal) into one's home.
Away
From a state or condition of being; out of existence.
Be near me when I fade away.
Home
A dwelling.
Away
By ellipsis of the verb, equivalent to an imperative: Go or come away; begone; take away.
And the Lord said . . . Away, get thee down.
Home
One’s own dwelling place; the house or structure in which one lives; especially the house in which one lives with one's family; the habitual abode of one’s family.
Away
On; in continuance; without intermission or delay; as, sing away.
Home
The place (residence, settlement, country, etc.), where a person was born and/or raised; childhood or parental home; home of one’s parents or guardian.
Does she still live at home? - No, she moved out and got an apartment when she was 18, but she still lives in the city.
Away
Distant in either space or time;
The town is a mile away
A country far away
The game is a week away
Home
The abiding place of the affections, especially of the domestic affections.
Away
Not present; having left;
He's away right now
You must not allow a stranger into the house when your mother is away
Everyone is gone now
The departed guests
Home
A house that has been made home-like, to suit the comfort of those who live there.
It's what you bring into a house that makes it a home
Away
Used of an opponent's ground;
An away game
Home
A place of refuge, rest or care; an asylum.
A home for outcasts
A home for the blind
A veterans' home
Instead of a pet store, get your new dog from the local dogs’ home.
Away
(of a baseball pitch) on the far side of home plate from the batter;
The pitch was away (or wide)
An outside pitch
Home
(by extension) The grave; the final rest; also, the native and eternal dwelling place of the soul.
Away
From a particular thing or place or position (`forth' is obsolete);
Ran away from the lion
Wanted to get away from there
Sent the children away to boarding school
The teacher waved the children away from the dead animal
Went off to school
They drove off
Go forth and preach
Home
One’s native land; the place or country in which one dwells; the place where one’s ancestors dwell or dwelt.
Away
From one's possession;
He gave out money to the poor
Gave away the tickets
Home
The locality where a thing is usually found, or was first found, or where it is naturally abundant; habitat; seat.
The home of the pine
Away
Out of the way (especially away from one's thoughts);
Brush the objections aside
Pushed all doubts away
Home
A focus point.
Away
Out of existence;
The music faded away
Tried to explain away the affair of the letter
Idled the hours away
Her fingernails were worn away
Home
(board games) The ultimate point aimed at in a progress; the goal.
The object of Sorry! is to get all four of your pawns to your home.
Away
At a distance in space or time;
The boat was 5 miles off (or away)
The party is still 2 weeks off (or away)
Away back in the 18th century
Home
(baseball) Home plate.
Away
Indicating continuing action; continuously or steadily;
He worked away at the project for more than a year
The child kept hammering away as if his life depended on it
Home
(lacrosse) The place of a player in front of an opponent’s goal; also, the player.
Away
So as to be removed or gotten rid of;
Cleared the mess away
The rotted wood had to be cut away
Home
(Internet) The landing page of a website; the site's homepage.
Away
Freely or at will;
Fire away!
Home
The chord at which a melody starts and to which it can resolve.
Away
In or into a proper place (especially for storage or safekeeping);
Put the toys away
Her jewels are locked away in a safe
Filed the letter away
Home
Clipping of home directory
Away
In a different direction;
Turn aside
Turn away one's face
Glanced away
Home
To return to its owner.
The dog homed.
Away
In reserve; not for immediate use;
Started setting aside money to buy a car
Put something by for her old age
Has a nestegg tucked away for a rainy day
Home
To seek or aim for something.
The missile was able to home in on the target.
Home
Of, from, or pertaining to one’s dwelling or country; domestic; not foreign
Home
That strikes home; direct, pointed.
A home truth
Home
(obsolete) Personal, intimate.
Home
(sports) Relating to the home team (the team at whose venue a game is played).
The home end, home advantage, home supporters
Home
To one's home
Home
To one's place of residence or one's customary or official location
Go home
Come home
Carry someone home
Home
To one's place of birth
Home
To the place where it belongs; to the end of a course; to the full length
She drove the nail home
Ram a cartridge home
Home
(internet) To the home page
Click here to go home.
Home
At or in one's place of residence or one's customary or official location; at home
Everyone's gone to watch the game; there's nobody home.
I'm home!
Home
To a full and intimate degree; to the heart of the matter; fully, directly.
Home
Into the goal
Home
(nautical) into the right, proper or stowed position
Sails sheeted home
Home
See Homelyn.
Home
One's own dwelling place; the house in which one lives; esp., the house in which one lives with his family; the habitual abode of one's family; also, one's birthplace.
The disciples went away again to their own home.
Home is the sacred refuge of our life.
Home! home! sweet, sweet home!There's no place like home.
Home
One's native land; the place or country in which one dwells; the place where one's ancestors dwell or dwelt.
Home
The abiding place of the affections, especially of the domestic affections.
He entered in his house - his home no more,For without hearts there is no home.
Home
The locality where a thing is usually found, or was first found, or where it is naturally abundant; habitat; seat; as, the home of the pine.
Her eyes are homes of silent prayer.
Flandria, by plenty made the home of war.
Home
A place of refuge and rest; an asylum; as, a home for outcasts; a home for the blind; hence, esp., the grave; the final rest; also, the native and eternal dwelling place of the soul.
Man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets.
Home
The home base; as, he started for home.
Home
Of or pertaining to one's dwelling or country; domestic; not foreign; as home manufactures; home comforts.
Home
Close; personal; pointed; as, a home thrust.
Home
In various games, the ultimate point aimed at in a progress; goal
Home
To one's home or country; as in the phrases, go home, come home, carry home.
Home
Close; closely.
How home the charge reaches us, has been made out.
They come home to men's business and bosoms.
Home
To the place where it belongs; to the end of a course; to the full length; as, to drive a nail home; to ram a cartridge home.
Wear thy good rapier bare and put it home.
Home
To return home.
Home
To proceed toward an object or location intended as a target; - of missiles which can change course in flight under internal or external control; usually used with in on; as, the missile homed in on the radar site.
Home
To arrive at or get closer to an object sought or an intended goal; used with in on; as, the repairman quickly homed in on the cause of the malfunction.
Home
Where you live at a particular time;
Deliver the package to my home
He doesn't have a home to go to
Your place or mine?
Home
Housing that someone is living in;
He built a modest dwelling near the pond
They raise money to provide homes for the homeless
Home
The country or state or city where you live;
Canadian tariffs enabled United States lumber companies to raise prices at home
His home is New Jersey
Home
An environment offering affection and security;
Home is where the heart is
He grew up in a good Christian home
There's no place like home
Home
An institution where people are cared for;
A home for the elderly
Home
The place where you are stationed and from which missions start and end
Home
A social unit living together;
He moved his family to Virginia
It was a good Christian household
I waited until the whole house was asleep
The teacher asked how many people made up his home
Home
(baseball) base consisting of a rubber slab where the batter stands; it must be touched by a base runner in order to score;
He ruled that the runner failed to touch home
Home
Place where something began and flourished;
The United States is the home of basketball
Home
Provide with, or send to, a home
Home
Return home accurately from a long distance;
Homing pigeons
Home
Used of your own ground;
A home game
Home
Relating to or being where one lives or where one's roots are;
My home town
Home
Inside the country;
The British Home Office has broader responsibilities than the United States Department of the Interior
The nation's internal politics
Home
At or to or in the direction of one's home or family;
He stays home on weekends
After the game the children brought friends home for supper
I'll be home tomorrow
Came riding home in style
I hope you will come home for Christmas
I'll take her home
Don't forget to write home
Home
On or to the point aimed at;
The arrow struck home
Home
To the fullest extent; to the heart;
Drove the nail home
Drove his point home
His comments hit home
Common Curiosities
What does "away" typically imply in everyday language?
Away usually implies being out from a usual or stable location, often indicating travel or a temporary state.
How is "home" used differently from "away"?
Home is used to indicate a permanent living place or the place where one has their roots, unlike away which indicates a departure from this place.
How are "away" and "home" used in sports?
In sports, away refers to games played in opponent's venue, often without the local crowd's support, while home games are played in the team's own venue with supportive fans.
What kind of emotional associations does "home" evoke?
Home typically evokes emotions of safety, comfort, and belonging.
Is "home" always a physical place?
No, home can also refer to an abstract sense of place or origin, such as feeling at home in a community or group.
What does "away" mean in the context of work or business?
In business, being away might refer to being out of the office, on business trips, or working remotely.
How does the expression "right away" fit into the concept of away?
"Right away" indicates immediate action, emphasizing urgency and quick departure from delay.
Can "away" have positive connotations?
Yes, away can have positive connotations such as freedom, adventure, and escape from routine.
How do "away" and "home" relate to personal identity?
Away might represent exploring or shaping identity through new experiences, while home ties into one's foundational identity and roots.
How is "home" used in technology or computing?
In computing, "home" can refer to a homepage or the starting point of a software application or website.
What does "home away from home" mean?
This phrase describes a place where one feels as comfortable and welcome as they do in their own home.
Can "away" suggest emotional distance?
Yes, phrases like "turning away" can imply emotional distancing or detachment.
Can "home" be used in a negative context?
Yes, phrases like "nothing to write home about" use home to denote mediocrity or something not exceptional.
What does "make oneself at home" mean?
This phrase invites someone to behave with the freedom and comfort they would have in their own home.
How does one use "away" in instructions?
In instructions, away can direct someone to move something out of place, as in "clear away the clutter."
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
