What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
boarder
Example
My aunt has a boarder who rents a room in her house and eats dinner with the family. [boarder: noun]
Example
He used to be a boarder at a prestigious boarding school before he moved to a public school. [boarder: noun]
roomer
Example
She is a roomer in a house near the university, where she has her own room but shares the kitchen and bathroom. [roomer: noun]
Example
During my vacation, I stayed in a motel and rented a room for a week. [roomer: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Roomer is more commonly used than boarder in everyday language. Roomer is a versatile term that can be used in different contexts, such as renting a room in a shared apartment or staying in a hotel. Boarder is less common and often associated with more formal or institutional living arrangements.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between boarder and roomer?
While roomer is generally considered a neutral and informal term, boarder can be seen as more formal due to its association with boarding houses, institutions, and structured living arrangements.
