at-home
UK[ˌætˈhəʊm]US[ˌætˈhoʊm]
adj
Taking place in or suited to one's own home
adj
Designed to be used in the home
adj
Comfortable, relaxed, or informal as if in one's own home
Morpheme Breakdown
at
home
at
home
Etymology
The compound adjective "at-home" is a straightforward combination of two native English elements. The preposition "at," from Old English æt, denotes a state or location, while "home," from Old English hām, signifies a dwelling or place of belonging. The phrase "at home" was used adverbially for centuries before solidifying into a hyphenated adjective in the 18th century to describe events, services, or a feeling associated with the domestic sphere. Its logic is transparent: something that is "at-home" possesses the qualities or occurs in the context of the home environment.
Analysis
Structure: at + home
- at: Old English. A preposition indicating location, point in time, or state.
- home: Old English. A noun meaning one's dwelling place or a place of origin and comfort.
Examples
She hosted an at-home coffee morning for her neighbors.
The company offers a variety of at-home fitness kits.
The hotel strives to create an at-home atmosphere for its long-term guests.