neighbor - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
neighbor Word Meanings
- Someone who lives near you, especially in the same street or house
- Someone who is in the nearby area or next door
- In a broader sense, something or someone that is adjacent or close by, such as neighboring countries or towns
neighbor Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
neighbor Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈneɪ.bər/
US
/ˈneɪ.bɚ/
neighbor Word Etymology
Root decomposition: near + dweller. Origin: Old English neahgebur from neah 'near' + gebur 'dweller'; Middle English neighebour; modern neighbor. Memory image: picture a neighbor living nearby who greets you at the gate and helps with groceries.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputReal Context
Neighbors are people who live near us, whether on the same street, next door, or in the same building. The word can refer to a person in your immediate vicinity or to nearby places such as neighboring towns or countries when speaking about geography. In everyday English, a neighbor is often described as a friendly neighbor or neighborly behavior. The term can also extend metaphorically to nearby things, for example, neighboring countries. Context usually makes it clear whether you mean a person or a place. Remember the British spelling neighbour with a u; in American usage, neighbor without u is standard.
Usage Reminders
- Use neighbor for a person who lives nearby; for places use neighboring.
- Neighbor is countable: one neighbor, many neighbors.
- Neighborly describes friendly, helpful behavior.
- Spelling: American neighbor, British neighbour.
- Common phrases: in the neighborhood, next-door neighbor, neighboring towns.
Common Misconceptions
- Neighbor always means a friend; it can just be a person who lives nearby.
- Neighborhood refers to a person, not an area.
- Neighbor and nearby are interchangeable for places.
- You must use neighbour in all English contexts regardless of region.
- Next-door neighbor is the only common collocation.
Thinking Differences
In American and British English, neighbor can denote both a person and nearby places, but learners often confuse it with nearby as a place descriptor or misuse the British spelling neighbour. Culturally, many English-speaking communities emphasize everyday neighborly acts and saying hello, so students hear and use neighbor in social contexts more often.
Learning Tips
- Listen to conversations about neighbors in films and podcasts.
- Write a short paragraph about your own neighbor.
- Learn phrases: next-door, in the neighborhood, neighborly acts.
- Practice pronunciation of neighbor and neighbour.
- Spot the noun in context: is it a person or a place?
- Compare sentences with neighboring countries to reinforce geography sense.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of the word 'neighbor'?
A.Person living next door
B.Doctor
C.Chef
D.Teacher
Step 2: Usage
How is the word 'neighbor' used in a sentence?
A.The neighbor fixed the car engine.
B.The neighbor built a house.
C.The neighbor flew a plane.
D.The neighbor baked cookies for the children.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is similar to 'neighbor'?
A.Enemy
B.Friend
C.Stranger
D.Coworker
Step 4: Opposite Words
Which word is the opposite of 'neighbor'?
A.Classmate
B.Relative
C.Stranger
D.Acquaintance
Step 5: Mastery
Can you provide a real-life context where you would interact with a neighbor?
A.Traveling to a foreign country
B.Attending a school reunion
C.Buying a new gadget
D.Borrowing sugar for a recipe
Related Listening
🌱 Lite (Beginner)
🔥 Advanced
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