tenant
Elementary (A2)
IPA: /ˈtɛnənt/
KK: /ˈtɛnənt/
noun
Definition
A person who lives in a place and pays rent to use it, usually in a house or apartment owned by someone else.
Example
The tenant signed a lease agreement before moving into the apartment.
Conversation
Have you met the new tenant in our building?
No, I haven't! What's she like?
She's really friendly and seems to fit in well.
That's great to hear! It's always nice to have good tenants around.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
occupant
lessee
resident
Antonyms
landlord
owner
proprietor
transitive verb
Definition
A person who rents and lives in a property owned by someone else.
Example
The tenant signed a lease agreement for the apartment.
Tense Forms
Past: tenanted
Past Participle: tenanted
Conversation
Did you know that I tenant an apartment downtown?
Really? How do you like living there?
It's pretty great, but the rent is a bit high since I tenant such a nice place.
Root Explanation
Tenant → It is derived from the Old French 'tenant' (meaning holding or occupying), which comes from the Latin 'tenere' (meaning to hold). A tenant is someone who holds or occupies property, typically under a lease agreement.
Memory Tip
Think of someone 'holding' ('tenere') a place or property — that's why a tenant is someone who occupies a space.
Visually Confused Words
tendant
untenant
retenant
detenant
cotenant
tonant
tenent
trenchant