C2 adjective Neutral

residential

/ˌrez.ɪˈden.ʃəl/

Relating to or providing accommodation in which people live, as opposed to business or industrial areas. It can also describe a person or program that requires living at a specific location, such as a residential school or a residential care facility.

Examples

3 of 5
1

The quiet residential streets were lined with oak trees and Victorian-style houses.

The quiet living-area streets were lined with oak trees and Victorian-style houses.

2

The proposed development project must comply with strict residential zoning regulations to preserve the local character.

The proposed development project must comply with strict housing-area zoning regulations to preserve the local character.

3

I'm looking for a place in a residential area because I can't stand the noise of the city center.

I'm looking for a place in a housing area because I can't stand the noise of the city center.

Word Family

Noun
residence
Verb
reside
Adverb
residentially
Adjective
residential
Related
resident
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Memory Tip

Think of the 'reside' in residential. If people reside (live) there, it is a residential area.

Quick Quiz

The city council rejected the proposal to build a chemical plant in the middle of a ____ zone.

Correct!

The correct answer is: residential

Examples

1

The quiet residential streets were lined with oak trees and Victorian-style houses.

everyday

The quiet living-area streets were lined with oak trees and Victorian-style houses.

2

The proposed development project must comply with strict residential zoning regulations to preserve the local character.

formal

The proposed development project must comply with strict housing-area zoning regulations to preserve the local character.

3

I'm looking for a place in a residential area because I can't stand the noise of the city center.

informal

I'm looking for a place in a housing area because I can't stand the noise of the city center.

4

Scholars have noted that residential patterns in urban environments often reflect socioeconomic disparities.

academic

Scholars have noted that housing-location patterns in urban environments often reflect socioeconomic disparities.

5

The firm is expanding its portfolio to include more residential real estate assets in emerging markets.

business

The firm is expanding its portfolio to include more housing-based real estate assets in emerging markets.

Word Family

Noun
residence
Verb
reside
Adverb
residentially
Adjective
residential
Related
resident

Common Collocations

residential area an area where people live
residential building a building designed for people to live in
residential care long-term care provided in a facility where the person lives
residential property real estate intended for living rather than business
residential street a road where most buildings are homes

Common Phrases

residential school

a school where students live and study

residential treatment

medical or psychiatric care involving a stay at a facility

residential zone

a legally designated area for housing

Often Confused With

residential vs resident

Resident is a noun for a person who lives in a place, whereas residential is an adjective describing the place itself.

residential vs presidential

While phonetically similar, presidential relates to the office of a president.

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Usage Notes

Residential is primarily used to distinguish living spaces from commercial or industrial ones. At a C2 level, it is often used in the context of urban planning, social studies, and healthcare (e.g., residential care).

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Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes use 'resident' as an adjective (e.g., 'a resident area') instead of the correct form 'residential'. It is also occasionally confused with 'residency', which is the status of being a resident.

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Memory Tip

Think of the 'reside' in residential. If people reside (live) there, it is a residential area.

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Word Origin

Derived from the Latin 'residere', meaning 'to sit back' or 'to remain'.

Grammar Patterns

Attributive adjective (usually placed before the noun) Non-gradable adjective (you usually cannot say 'more residential' or 'very residential') Functions as a classifier in technical contexts
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Cultural Context

In many Western societies, 'residential' zoning is a key part of city planning to ensure quiet living spaces away from noise-heavy industry.

Quick Quiz

The city council rejected the proposal to build a chemical plant in the middle of a ____ zone.

Correct!

The correct answer is: residential

Related Words

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exheredive

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misciscy

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