Home vs. Place — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 26, 2024
Home refers to a living environment with emotional attachment, while place is any location or area without implying any personal connection.
Difference Between Home and Place
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Home implies an environment associated with comfort, security, and personal identity, often signifying where one lives with family or loved ones. Whereas, a place can refer to any location, be it a building, city, or country, with no emotional weight.
The concept of home extends beyond physical structures to include feelings of belonging and emotional warmth. On the other hand, place is a more neutral term, used to describe a geographical location or a spot designated for a specific purpose.
People often describe home as where they feel most at peace, reflecting personalization and memories that tie them to that space. Meanwhile, a place could be anywhere from a public park to a particular spot in an office.
The emotional connection to a home can influence a person's well-being and sense of security. In contrast, the utility of a place is often determined by its function or location rather than emotional factors.
Home is where personal interactions and daily life unfold, creating a unique and cherished environment. Whereas, a place is typically referred to in a more functional and less personalized manner, such as a place to work or a place to visit.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A living space with emotional attachment and personal significance
Any location or area, regardless of personal connections
Emotional Connection
High (comfort, security, identity)
Variable (none to specific depending on context)
Function
Personal living and comfort
General location or designated area
Examples
One's house or apartment where family lives
A city, a park, an address
Usage
Descriptive and emotional
Neutral and functional
Compare with Definitions
Home
Place of residence and comfort.
After a long trip, there is nothing better than returning home.
Place
Any physical or geographical location.
Please save me a place at the table.
Home
Setting for personal belongings and memories.
The walls of her home are filled with photos from travels.
Place
Neutral term for describing a location.
We met at a nice place downtown for lunch.
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.
Place
Can imply a role or position.
She earned her place at the top of the class.
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
Place
A particular position, point, or area in space; a location
The monastery was a peaceful place
He would always have a special place in her heart
I can't be in two places at once
That street was no place for a lady
Home
An institution for people needing professional care or supervision
An old people's home
Place
A portion of space designated or available for or being used by someone
Jackie had saved her a place
They hurried to their places at the table
Home
The finishing point in a race
He was four fences from home
Place
A position in a sequence or series, typically one ordered on the basis of merit
His score left him in ninth place
Home
Relating to the place where one lives
I don't have your home address
Place
A square or short street
The lecture theatre is in New Burlington Place
Home
(of a sports fixture) played at the team's own ground
A home win
Their first home match of the season
Place
Put in a particular position
A newspaper had been placed beside my plate
Home
Denoting the administrative centre of an organization
The company has moved its home office
Place
Find a home or employment for
The children were placed with foster-parents
Home
To or at the place where one lives
What time did he get home last night?
Place
Identify or classify as being of a specified type or as holding a specified position in a sequence or hierarchy
A survey placed the company 13th for achievement
Home
(of an animal) return by instinct to its territory after leaving it
A dozen geese homing to their summer nesting grounds
Place
Score (a goal) by a place kick.
Home
Move or be aimed towards (a target or destination) with great accuracy
More than 100 missiles were launched, homing in on radar emissions
Place
An area with definite or indefinite boundaries; a portion of space.
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
Place
Room or space, especially adequate space
There is place for everyone at the back of the room.
Home
A place where one lives; a residence.
Place
The particular portion of space occupied by or allocated to a person or thing.
Home
The physical structure within which one lives, such as a house or apartment.
Place
A building or an area set aside for a specified purpose
A place of worship.
Home
A dwelling place together with the family or social unit that occupies it; a household.
Place
A dwelling; a house
Bought a place on the lake.
Home
An environment offering security and happiness.
Place
A business establishment or office.
Home
A valued place regarded as a refuge or place of origin.
Place
A locality, such as a town or city
Visited many places.
Home
The place, such as a country or town, where one was born or has lived for a long period.
Place
Abbr. Pl. A public square or street with houses in a town.
Home
The native habitat, as of a plant or animal.
Place
A space in which one person, such as a passenger or spectator, can sit or stand.
Home
The place where something is discovered, founded, developed, or promoted; a source.
Place
A setting for one person at a table.
Home
A headquarters; a home base.
Place
A position regarded as belonging to someone or something else; stead
She was chosen in his place.
Home
(Baseball) Home plate.
Place
A particular point that one has reached, as in a book
I have lost my place.
Home
(Games) Home base.
Place
A particular spot, as on the body
The place that hurts.
Home
An institution where people are cared for
A home for the elderly.
Place
The proper or designated role or function
The place of the media in a free society.
Home
The starting position of the cursor on a text-based computer display, usually in the upper left corner of the screen.
Place
The proper or customary position or order
These books are out of place.
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.
Place
A suitable setting or occasion
Not the place to argue.
Home
Of or relating to a home, especially to one's household or house
Home cooking.
Home furnishings.
Place
The appropriate right or duty
Not her place to criticize.
Home
Taking place in the home
Home care for the elderly.
Place
Social station
He overstepped his place.
Home
Of, relating to, or being a place of origin or headquarters
The home office.
Place
A particular situation or circumstance
Put yourself in my place.
Home
(Sports) Relating to a team's sponsoring institution or to the place where it is franchised
A home game.
The home field advantage.
Place
High rank or status.
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 '.
Place
A job, post, or position
Found a place in the company.
Home
At, to, or toward the direction of home
Going home for lunch.
Place
Relative position in a series; standing.
Home
On or into the point at which something is directed
The arrow struck home.
Place
(Games) Second position for betting purposes, as in a horserace.
Home
To the center or heart of something; deeply
Your comments really hit home.
Place
The specified stage in a list of points to be made, as in an argument
In the first place.
Home
To go or return to one's residence or base of operations.
Place
(Mathematics) A position in a numeral or series.
Home
To guide (a missile or aircraft) to a target.
Place
To put in or as if in a particular place or position; set.
Home
To arrange to have (an animal) placed in a home.
Place
To put in a specified relation or order
Place the words in alphabetical order.
Home
To take (an animal) into one's home.
Place
To offer for consideration
Placed the matter before the board.
Home
A dwelling.
Place
To find accommodation or employment for.
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.
Place
To put into a particular condition
Placed him under arrest.
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.
Place
To arrange for the publication or display of
Place an advertisement in the newspaper.
Home
The abiding place of the affections, especially of the domestic affections.
Place
To appoint to a post
Placed her in a key position.
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
Place
To rank in an order or sequence
I'd place him second best.
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.
Place
To estimate
Placed the distance at 100 feet.
Home
(by extension) The grave; the final rest; also, the native and eternal dwelling place of the soul.
Place
To identify or classify in a particular context
Could not place that person's face.
Home
One’s native land; the place or country in which one dwells; the place where one’s ancestors dwell or dwelt.
Place
To give an order for
Place a bet.
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
Place
To apply or arrange for
Place an order.
Home
A focus point.
Place
To make or obtain a connection for (a telephone call).
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.
Place
To sell (a new issue of stock, bonds, or other securities).
Home
(baseball) Home plate.
Place
To adjust (one's voice) for the best possible effects.
Home
(lacrosse) The place of a player in front of an opponent’s goal; also, the player.
Place
To be among those who finish a competition or race, especially to finish second.
Home
(Internet) The landing page of a website; the site's homepage.
Place
(physical) An area; somewhere within an area.
Home
The chord at which a melody starts and to which it can resolve.
Place
An open space, particularly a city square, market square, or courtyard.
Home
Clipping of home directory
Place
A street, sometimes but not always surrounding a public place, square, or plaza of the same name.
They live at Westminster Place.
Home
To return to its owner.
The dog homed.
Place
An inhabited area: a village, town, or city.
Home
To seek or aim for something.
The missile was able to home in on the target.
Place
Any area of the earth: a region.
He is going back to his native place on vacation.
Home
Of, from, or pertaining to one’s dwelling or country; domestic; not foreign
Place
The area one occupies, particularly somewhere to sit.
We asked the restaurant to give us a table with three places.
Home
That strikes home; direct, pointed.
A home truth
Place
The area where one lives: one's home, formerly country estates and farms.
Do you want to come over to my place later?
Home
(obsolete) Personal, intimate.
Place
An area of the body, especially the skin.
Which place hurts the most?
Home
(sports) Relating to the home team (the team at whose venue a game is played).
The home end, home advantage, home supporters
Place
An area to urinate and defecate: an outhouse or lavatory.
Home
To one's home
Place
An area to fight: a battlefield or the contested ground in a battle.
Home
To one's place of residence or one's customary or official location
Go home
Come home
Carry someone home
Place
A location or position in space.
Home
To one's place of birth
Place
A particular location in a book or document, particularly the current location of a reader.
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
Place
A passage or extract from a book or document.
Home
(internet) To the home page
Click here to go home.
Place
A topic.
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!
Place
A state of mind.
I'm in a strange place at the moment.
Home
To a full and intimate degree; to the heart of the matter; fully, directly.
Place
A chess position; a square of the chessboard.
Home
Into the goal
Place
(social) A responsibility or position in an organization.
Home
(nautical) into the right, proper or stowed position
Sails sheeted home
Place
A role or purpose; a station.
It is really not my place to say what is right and wrong in this case.
Home
See Homelyn.
Place
The position of a contestant in a competition.
We thought we would win but only ended up in fourth place.
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.
Place
(horse-racing) The position of first, second, or third at the finish, especially the second position.
To win a bet on a horse for place
Home
One's native land; the place or country in which one dwells; the place where one's ancestors dwell or dwelt.
Place
The position as a member of a sports team.
He lost his place in the national team.
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.
Place
A fortified position: a fortress, citadel, or walled town.
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.
Place
Numerically, the column counting a certain quantity.
Three decimal places;
The hundreds place
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.
Place
Ordinal relation; position in the order of proceeding.
That's what I said in the first place!
Home
The home base; as, he started for home.
Place
Reception; effect; implying the making room for.
Home
Of or pertaining to one's dwelling or country; domestic; not foreign; as home manufactures; home comforts.
Place
(transitive) To put (an object or person) in a specific location.
He placed the glass on the table.
Home
Close; personal; pointed; as, a home thrust.
Place
(intransitive) To earn a given spot in a competition.
The Cowboys placed third in the league.
Home
In various games, the ultimate point aimed at in a progress; goal
Place
To finish second, especially of horses or dogs.
In the third race: Aces Up won, paying eight dollars; Blarney Stone placed, paying three dollars; and Cinnamon showed, paying five dollars.
Home
To one's home or country; as in the phrases, go home, come home, carry home.
Place
To rank at (a certain position, often followed by an ordinal) as in a horse race.
Run Ragged was placed fourth in the race.
Home
Close; closely.
How home the charge reaches us, has been made out.
They come home to men's business and bosoms.
Place
(transitive) To remember where and when (an object or person) has been previously encountered.
I've seen him before, but I can't quite place where.
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.
Place
(transitive) To sing (a note) with the correct pitch.
Home
To return home.
Place
(transitive) To arrange for or to make (a bet).
I placed ten dollars on the Lakers beating the Bulls.
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.
Place
(transitive) To establish a call connection by telephone or similar.
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.
Place
(transitive) To recruit or match an appropriate person for a job, or a home for an animal for adoption, etc.
They phoned hoping to place her in the management team.
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?
Place
To place-kick (a goal).
Home
Housing that someone is living in;
He built a modest dwelling near the pond
They raise money to provide homes for the homeless
Place
Any portion of space regarded as measured off or distinct from all other space, or appropriated to some definite object or use; position; ground; site; spot; rarely, unbounded space.
Here is the place appointed.
What place can be for usWithin heaven's bound?
The word place has sometimes a more confused sense, and stands for that space which any body takes up; and so the universe is a place.
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
Place
A broad way in a city; an open space; an area; a court or short part of a street open only at one end.
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
Place
A position which is occupied and held; a dwelling; a mansion; a village, town, or city; a fortified town or post; a stronghold; a region or country.
Are you native of this place?
Home
An institution where people are cared for;
A home for the elderly
Place
Rank; degree; grade; order of priority, advancement, dignity, or importance; especially, social rank or position; condition; also, official station; occupation; calling.
Men in great place are thrice servants.
I know my place as I would they should do theirs.
Home
The place where you are stationed and from which missions start and end
Place
Vacated or relinquished space; room; stead (the departure or removal of another being or thing being implied).
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
Place
A definite position or passage of a document.
The place of the scripture which he read was this.
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
Place
Ordinal relation; position in the order of proceeding; as, he said in the first place.
Home
Place where something began and flourished;
The United States is the home of basketball
Place
Reception; effect; - implying the making room for.
My word hath no place in you.
Home
Provide with, or send to, a home
Place
Position in the heavens, as of a heavenly body; - usually defined by its right ascension and declination, or by its latitude and longitude.
Home
Return home accurately from a long distance;
Homing pigeons
Place
The position of first, second, or third at the finish, esp. the second position. In betting, to win a bet on a horse for place it must, in the United States, finish first or second, in England, usually, first, second, or third.
Home
Used of your own ground;
A home game
Place
To assign a place to; to put in a particular spot or place, or in a certain relative position; to direct to a particular place; to fix; to settle; to locate; as, to place a book on a shelf; to place balls in tennis.
Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown.
Home
Relating to or being where one lives or where one's roots are;
My home town
Place
To put or set in a particular rank, office, or position; to surround with particular circumstances or relations in life; to appoint to certain station or condition of life; as, in whatever sphere one is placed.
Place such over them to be rulers.
Home
Inside the country;
The British Home Office has broader responsibilities than the United States Department of the Interior
The nation's internal politics
Place
To put out at interest; to invest; to loan; as, to place money in a bank.
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
Place
To set; to fix; to repose; as, to place confidence in a friend.
Home
On or to the point aimed at;
The arrow struck home
Place
To attribute; to ascribe; to set down.
Place it for her chief virtue.
Home
To the fullest extent; to the heart;
Drove the nail home
Drove his point home
His comments hit home
Place
To determine or announce the place of at the finish. Usually, in horse racing only the first three horses are placed officially.
Home
Environment of emotional warmth.
Their home is always open to friends and family.
Place
To place-kick ( a goal).
Home
Symbol of identity and belonging.
For many, home is not just a place, but a feeling.
Place
To recognize or identify (a person).
Home
Associated with security and love.
Children often feel safest when they are at home.
Place
A point located with respect to surface features of some region;
This is a nice place for a picnic
Place
Any area set aside for a particular purpose;
Who owns this place?
The president was concerned about the property across from the White House
Place
An abstract mental location;
He has a special place in my thoughts
A place in my heart
A political system with no place for the less prominent groups
Place
A general vicinity;
He comes from a place near Chicago
Place
The function or position properly or customarily occupied or served by another;
Can you go in my stead?
Took his place
In lieu of
Place
A particular situation;
If you were in my place what would you do?
Place
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?
Place
A job in an organization;
He occupied a post in the treasury
Place
The particular portion of space occupied by a physical object;
He put the lamp back in its place
Place
Proper or designated social situation;
He overstepped his place
The responsibilities of a man in his station
Married above her station
Place
A space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane);
He booked their seats in advance
He sat in someone else's place
Place
The passage that is being read;
He lost his place on the page
Place
Proper or appropriate position or location;
A woman's place is no longer in the kitchen
Place
A public square with room for pedestrians;
They met at Elm Plaza
Grosvenor Place
Place
An item on a list or in a sequence;
In the second place
Moved from third to fifth position
Place
A blank area;
Write your name in the space provided
Place
Put into a certain place or abstract location;
Put your things here
Set the tray down
Set the dogs on the scent of the missing children
Place emphasis on a certain point
Place
Place somebody in a particular situation or location;
He was placed on probation
Place
Assign a rank or rating to;
How would you rank these students?
The restaurant is rated highly in the food guide
Place
Assign a location to;
The company located some of their agents in Los Angeles
Place
To arrange for;
Place a phone call
Place a bet
Place
Take a place in a competition; often followed by an ordinal;
Jerry came in third in the Marathon
Place
Intend (something) to move towards a certain goal;
He aimed his fists towards his opponent's face
Criticism directed at her superior
Direct your anger towards others, not towards yourself
Place
Recognize as being; establish the identity of someone or something;
She identified the man on the 'wanted' poster
Place
Assign to (a job or a home)
Place
Locate;
The film is set in Africa
Place
Estimate;
We put the time of arrival at 8 P.M.
Place
Identify the location or place of;
We localized the source of the infection
Place
Make an investment;
Put money into bonds
Place
Assign to a station
Place
Finish second or better in a horse or dog race;
He bet $2 on number six to place
Place
Sing a note with the correct pitch
Place
Specific area designated for a particular use.
The books should go back in their place on the shelf.
Place
Used in descriptions and directions.
The place you’re looking for is right next to the library.
Common Curiosities
What does "no place like home" mean?
This phrase emphasizes that home is uniquely comforting and irreplaceable due to its emotional bonds.
What is the importance of having a home?
Having a home is crucial for emotional stability, security, and forming a personal identity.
Can any location be called a place?
Yes, any geographical location or designated spot can be referred to as a place, regardless of size or importance.
What are the psychological effects of not having a stable home?
Lack of a stable home can lead to stress, anxiety, and feelings of disconnection or instability.
How can I make my living place feel more like home?
Personalizing space with decor, fostering relationships, and creating comforting routines can help make any place feel more like home.
How do I describe my home to others?
Describing a home often involves mentioning physical aspects, emotional significance, and the people who live there.
What does it mean when someone says "know your place"?
It typically means recognizing one’s role or position within a particular social or professional hierarchy.
How do cultural perceptions of home vary?
Cultural perceptions of home can vary greatly, with some cultures emphasizing family and community as central to the concept of home.
What makes a house a home?
A house becomes a home when it fills with personal memories, emotions, and a sense of belonging.
Can a place become a home?
Yes, a place can become a home when it develops personal significance and emotional connections for an individual or family.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
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.
