17 Other Ways to Say NEIGHBOR | Synonyms for Neighbor (Examples)

When we think about neighbors, we usually mean the people who live near us. But there are many other ways to refer to someone living close by, like “fellow resident,” “next-door neighbor,” or “local.” Each synonym has its own nuance and context. In this article, we’ll explore 17 different ways to say neighbor and provide examples for each to make your writing more colorful and precise.

17 Different Ways to Say NEIGHBOR: Another Word for Neighbor

Adjacent

The term “adjacent” is often used when referring to something that is next to or very close by. While it is more common in describing places, properties, or objects, it can also refer to people living nearby in a slightly formal sense. Using “adjacent” can help emphasize physical proximity rather than social connection, making it useful in real estate descriptions or geographic contexts. It’s perfect for highlighting closeness without necessarily implying a relationship or familiarity. Writers can use this term to create a sense of space or context in their sentences.

• Our house is adjacent to the park, making morning walks easy.
• The adjacent apartment belongs to a friendly family.
• He bought the adjacent lot to expand his garden.

Nearby resident

“Nearby resident” is a clear and friendly way to refer to someone who lives close by. This phrase highlights both the person and their location, making it versatile for both formal and informal writing. It works well when you want to emphasize that someone lives in your community without implying any deeper connection. It can be used in news articles, reports, or casual conversations where identifying local people is important. The term suggests proximity and familiarity, but in a neutral and approachable way.

• A nearby resident noticed the changes in the neighborhood.
• The nearby residents organized a block party last weekend.
• Nearby residents often share gardening tips and recipes.

Local

The word “local” emphasizes that someone belongs to a specific area or community. It is commonly used to indicate that a person lives in the same town, city, or neighborhood, and it can convey familiarity, belonging, and connection. Using “local” is effective when you want to create a sense of community or highlight regional identity. It’s versatile for both casual conversations and formal writing, often used to describe people, businesses, or culture that are rooted in a particular place.

• Local neighbors helped clean up the street after the storm.
• She enjoys shopping at local markets in her neighborhood.
• Local residents often volunteer for community projects.

Next-door neighbor

A “next-door neighbor” specifically refers to someone living directly beside your home. This term is widely recognized and implies close physical proximity, often hinting at the opportunity for frequent interactions. It works in everyday conversations and storytelling when you want to highlight a relationship that is both nearby and personal. The phrase also allows for descriptions of neighborly bonds, conflicts, or casual greetings between households, making it highly relatable.

• Our next-door neighbor invited us for dinner.
• I borrowed sugar from my next-door neighbor yesterday.
• The next-door neighbor’s dog barks every morning.

Fellow resident

“Fellow resident” is a polite way to refer to someone who lives in the same building, town, or community as you. It emphasizes shared residency without implying familiarity or friendship. This phrase works well in formal contexts, newsletters, or community notices. It can also be used when addressing a group of neighbors collectively, showing inclusion and shared experience within the same living area. Using this term can make communications sound respectful and professional.

• Fellow residents are encouraged to attend the meeting.
• The fellow residents contributed to a neighborhood cleanup.
• She invited fellow residents to join her book club.

Inhabitant

An “inhabitant” is someone who lives in a particular place, whether a building, town, or region. This term is slightly formal and often used in writing or discussions about demographics, geography, or history. While it may sound less personal than “neighbor,” it clearly conveys residency. Using “inhabitant” works well when discussing populations, community studies, or cultural aspects, highlighting the presence of people in a given location rather than social ties.

• Inhabitants of the city have adapted to the new traffic rules.
• Ancient inhabitants built homes near the river.
• The island’s inhabitants rely on fishing for their livelihood.

Dweller

A “dweller” refers to someone who lives in a specific place, often focusing on the act of residing rather than personal relationships. It can be used in a neutral or slightly literary context, describing people who inhabit homes, cities, or environments. This term is useful for storytelling, descriptive writing, or discussing populations. While less casual, it still effectively conveys the idea of a neighbor when used in the right context, emphasizing location and existence over social connection.

• City dwellers enjoy access to public transportation.
• Cave dwellers in history used fire for warmth.
• Forest dwellers live in harmony with nature.

Townsman/Townswoman

“Townsman” or “townswoman” refers to someone who lives in the same town as you. It emphasizes a shared municipal or regional identity and is often used in formal, literary, or historical contexts. This term conveys belonging to a specific town and sometimes implies community pride or participation. Using these words is suitable for storytelling, essays, or speeches when you want to highlight the social or civic connections among residents.

• A townsman helped guide the lost tourist.
• Townswomen often organize charity events together.
• The townsmen gathered for the annual festival.

Countryman/Countrywoman

“Countryman” or “countrywoman” describes a person from the same country or rural area, emphasizing a shared geographic or cultural identity. It is less specific than a direct neighbor but can imply familiarity or camaraderie among people from the same region. These terms work well in literature, formal writing, or discussions about rural communities, highlighting connection through shared origin rather than immediate proximity.

• The countryman offered directions to the traveler.
• Countrywomen gathered to celebrate harvest season.
• Every countryman in the village attended the ceremony.

Fellow citizen

“Fellow citizen” emphasizes shared citizenship and membership within the same nation, city, or community. It can imply responsibility, civic participation, or shared values. This term is formal and often used in speeches, legal writing, or discussions about social cohesion. While broader than a literal neighbor, it still captures the idea of people living within the same community and being part of the same collective social structure.

• Fellow citizens are encouraged to vote in local elections.
• The mayor addressed fellow citizens about safety measures.
• Fellow citizens celebrated the national holiday together.

Peer

The word “peer” generally refers to someone of equal standing or similar age, but in neighborhood contexts, it can describe someone in the same social group or community. Using “peer” emphasizes equality and shared experiences rather than geographic proximity alone. It is useful in discussions about schools, youth programs, or community groups, where interactions are based on common roles, age, or status rather than strictly being next-door neighbors.

• My peers in the neighborhood joined the clean-up drive.
• Neighborhood peers often play soccer together in the park.
• He enjoys meeting his peers at the local community center.

Companion

“Companion” can describe a neighbor with whom you share friendly relations or spend time. Unlike other synonyms, it emphasizes relationship and interaction rather than just physical proximity. This term works well in casual conversation, storytelling, or describing social bonds in a neighborhood. Using “companion” highlights the friendly, cooperative, or supportive aspects of a neighborly relationship, making it ideal when discussing friendship or camaraderie in a local setting.

• She found a companion in her new neighbor.
• The children became companions while playing outside.
• We enjoyed a long walk with our neighborhood companions.

Mate

“Mate” is an informal and friendly term for a neighbor or someone living nearby, commonly used in British or Australian English. It emphasizes camaraderie, friendliness, and casual interaction. Using “mate” works well in conversational writing or dialogue where warmth and community spirit are highlighted. It conveys social closeness and shared experiences, making it perfect for casual or humorous contexts.

• I bumped into my mate from next door.
• The mates in our street often barbecue together.
• He invited his mate over for tea yesterday.

Colleague

While “colleague” is typically used for work relationships, it can sometimes be used metaphorically for neighbors, especially in housing communities or apartment complexes where residents collaborate on shared activities. This term emphasizes cooperation and teamwork, rather than physical proximity. It’s suitable when discussing community projects, neighborhood committees, or organized events where residents work together as peers for common goals.

• Colleagues in the apartment complex painted the fence together.
• She and her neighbors are colleagues in organizing the street fair.
• The building’s colleagues shared responsibility for maintaining the garden.

Proximate

“Proximate” is a formal way to describe someone living close by. It emphasizes physical nearness and is often used in technical, geographic, or legal contexts. While less common in casual conversation, it is precise and can add sophistication to writing when describing the relationship between properties, communities, or residents. This term conveys closeness without implying personal interaction, making it useful for descriptive or analytical writing.

• The proximate house had a clear view of the park.
• Residents in proximate buildings often collaborate on security.
• Proximate neighbors formed a temporary neighborhood watch group.

Surrounding

The word “surrounding” refers to everything or everyone around a certain point, including neighbors. It is often used when describing the environment, areas, or communities in relation to a location. Using “surrounding” works well in both casual and formal writing, highlighting proximity and context. It can be helpful when discussing multiple neighbors, neighborhoods, or communities collectively rather than individually.

• The surrounding residents joined the festival celebration.
• We explored the surrounding neighborhoods on foot.
• Surrounding houses were decorated for the holiday season.

Synonym Table

Final Thoughts

I hope this guide helps you expand your vocabulary when talking about neighbors. Using these 17 synonyms, you can add variety, clarity, and nuance to your writing or conversations. Some words emphasize closeness, others formality, and some highlight social connections. Choosing the right term makes your language more precise and engaging. Next time you describe neighbors, consider which word best fits your context and style to make your writing more lively and relatable.