at home

Prepositional phrase

1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see at, home. In one's place of residence.
   • Sorry sir, I left my homework at home.
   • "Where's David?" "He stayed at home to fix the washing machine."
2. (idiomatic) At ease; comfortable.
   • I feel at home around my girlfriend's family.
   • I'm right at home in my new university.
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. Playing at its usual venue, playing as the home team.
   • The team has won three-quarters of its games at home, but less than half of away games.
   • The team has a 6–2 record at home.

   Antonyms:

   away, away from home, on the road

6. (dated) Available or willing to receive visitors.
   • 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.1922 Emily Post, Etiquette, Chapter 10: Cards and Visits

Noun

at home (plural at homes)

1. (historical) A 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
   • 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