What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dwell
Example
The family dwelled in the countryside for many years. [dwell: verb]
Example
She couldn't stop dwelling on her past mistakes. [dwelling: gerund or present participle]
reside
Example
He resides in a small town in the mountains. [resides: verb]
Example
The passport requires you to provide your current residence. [residence: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Reside is more commonly used than dwell in everyday language, especially in legal or official contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between dwell and reside?
Reside is more formal than dwell, and is often used in legal or official contexts, while dwell is more informal and is often used in literature or artistic contexts.
