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homemade

C2
Fairly common

Pronunciation

UK

  • /hˈəʊmmeɪd/

US

  • /ˈhoʊˈmeɪd/

Meanings

Adjective

  1. made at home rather than bought ready-made, especially of food

  2. made by someone at home or by informal effort rather than professionally manufactured

Beyond the definition

"Homemade" describes something made at home, rather than in a factory or bought ready-made from a store. It often suggests care, effort, and a personal touch. Think of your grandmother's famous cookies: they feel special because she made them in her own kitchen.

The word often brings to mind warmth and comfort. You can buy a ready-made pie crust at the grocery store, but a truly "homemade" pie is prepared at home, often from scratch. It is about more than the final result; it is also about the care behind it. You might describe a knitted scarf, a jar of jam, or a simple cake as homemade.

Examples

  1. 1

    Food

    We had homemade soup for lunch.

  2. 2

    Baking

    These cookies are homemade, so they don't all look the same.

  3. 3

    Personal gift

    She gave me a homemade birthday card.

  4. 4

    Family tradition

    My grandmother still makes homemade jam every summer.

More examples
  1. 5

    Visual style

    The video has a homemade feel that makes it more personal.

    • Phrasehomemade feel

      a simple, not very professional style

See also

Similar

  • home-cooked
  • home-built

Shades of meaning

Contrast

  • store-bought
  • factory-made

Do not confuse

Used with (collocations)

  • homemade soup
  • homemade bread
  • homemade gift
  • homemade remedy

Explore

Forms and spellings

1 form open this card.

Main spelling

  • homemadeadjective