homecoming
homecoming — noun
1. a person's return to their home or home country following months or years spent
a person's return to their home or home country following months or years spent elsewhere, often met with a warm welcome from family or neighbours.
After three years working in Japan, Yuna's homecoming was a joyful surprise for her parents.
collocation: joyful / emotional homecoming
The whole village prepared a feast for the soldiers' homecoming from the war.
collocation: prepare for [someone's] homecoming
His homecoming to the small town felt strange after so many years in the capital.
The novel tells the story of a sailor's emotional homecoming after decades at sea.
collocation: [someone's] homecoming + after [period of time]
- emotional homecoming
- triumphant homecoming
- homecoming parade
- make one's homecoming
- homecoming celebration
- homecoming after [time]
- return
more general; does not carry the emotional weight or the idea of a long absence
- arrival
focuses on the moment of reaching a destination, not specifically home
- repatriation
formal; specifically refers to return to one's home country, often government-organized
Grammar Patterns
a [adjective] homecoming
[possessive] homecoming
Usage Note
Often used with an adjective describing the emotional tone (joyful, triumphant, bitter, quiet). Subject is typically the returning person, not the people waiting.
Common Mistakes
2. a yearly celebration held by a school or college that invites former students ba
a yearly celebration held by a school or college that invites former students back to reunite, usually including sports matches, parades, dances, and choosing a homecoming king or queen.
The school's homecoming game brought in more fans than any regular match that season.
collocation: homecoming game
The principal invited all graduates from the past decade to attend homecoming weekend.
collocation: homecoming weekend
Jabari was voted homecoming king at the annual dance ceremony.
collocation: homecoming king / queen
The alumni association organized a homecoming that included campus tours and a dinner.
collocation: organize a homecoming
- homecoming game
- homecoming weekend
- homecoming queen
- homecoming king
- homecoming parade
- homecoming dance
- homecoming court
- attend homecoming
- organize a homecoming
- reunion
broader; a gathering of former classmates without the specific sports/parade traditions
- alumni weekend
similar event but less tied to a sports game and crowning ceremony
Grammar Patterns
homecoming + [noun]
[school name] homecoming
attend homecoming
Usage Note
Chiefly used in the United States and Canada. This cultural event is distinct from a general 'school reunion', which does not typically involve a sports game or a parade.