at home

1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see at, home. In one's place of residence.

   Sorry sir, I left my homework at home.

   2 more examples

   "Where's David?" "He stayed at home to fix the washing machine."

   The number of at-home dads has also doubled in the last decade.

   2013 June 3, Brad Harrington, “Behind the Data on Breadwinner Mothers”, in The New York Times, archived from the original on 16 Oct 2023

2. idiomaticAt ease; comfortable.

   I'm right at home in my new university.

   3 more examples

   I feel at home around my girlfriend's family.

   He's quite at home discussing French literature.

   "You see, I always feel at home in the dark," apologised the blind man.

   1923, Ernest Bramah [pseudonym; Ernest Brammah Smith], “(please specify the page)”, in The Eyes of Max Carrados, London: Grant Richards, →OCLC

3. In the home of one's parents.

   I can't believe it: she's 28 and still lives at home.

4. In a private residence as opposed to a nursing home.

   He is really elderly and can still live at home.

5. hobbiesPlaying at its usual venue, playing as the home team.

   The team has a 6–2 record at home.

   2 more examples

   The team has won three-quarters of its games at home, but less than half of away games.

   Today is match day, Grimsby Town are at home, and the ground is walking distance from New Clee station. So, visiting football supporters coming by train have to change at Grimsby Town [station]. That's a real pain.

   2024 April 17, “Rural railways: do they deliver?”, in RAIL, number 1007, page 58

   Antonyms: away, away from home, on the road

6. datedAvailable or willing to receive visitors.

   1922 Emily Post, Etiquette, Chapter 10: Cards and Visits When a servant at a door says “Not at home,” this phrase means that the lady of the house is “Not at home to visitors.” This answer neither signifies nor implies—nor is it intended to—that Mrs. Jones is out of the house.

plural at homes

1. historicalA type of reception or party whereby the host says that they will be ‘at home’ during specific hours, when guests can come and go as they like.

   And, as near as possible to the dear ladies who gave the At Homes, Macmaster could keep up the talk – a little magisterially.

   1924, Ford Madox Ford, Some Do Not... (Parade's End), Penguin, published 2012, page 4

   1 more example

   She had gone, with high hemlines, to ‘At Homes’ and balls, and left me jealous, half mad, to cluck with her parents who were concerned she might be mixing with a fast crowd.

   1985, Peter Carey, Illywhacker, Faber and Faber, published 2003, page 104