domestic
Pluraldomestics
- 1Happening inside one country, not in other countries.
Domestic flights are usually cheaper than international ones.
The factory sells most of its goods to the domestic market.
UsageOften before words like flights or market. The opposite is international.
Similarnational, internal, home
Oppositeforeign, international, overseas, external
Note
- 2To do with the home and family, and with jobs done at home like cooking and cleaning.
She handles most of the domestic chores after work.
Their domestic routine includes cooking dinner together every evening.
UsageUsed before words like chores and life. Domestic violence is violence or abuse against a partner or family member.
Note
- 3Kept by people as a pet or farm animal, not living in the wild.
Like a pet cat that lives in your house instead of a wild lion out in the open.
Dogs and cats are common domestic animals.
A domestic goat is much calmer than a wild one.
Similardomesticated, tame
Less common meanings
- 4An argument or fight, sometimes violent, between people who live together.
The neighbors had a loud domestic late last night.
Police were called to a domestic at the apartment downstairs.
UsageMostly police talk. In careful writing, say domestic dispute instead.
Similarrow, fight, argument, quarrel, dispute
Note
- 5A person hired to cook, clean, and do other work in someone's home.
The family hired a domestic to help with the housework.
As a young woman, she worked as a domestic for a wealthy couple.
UsageHere a domestic is a worker, not a family fight.
Similarservant, maid, housekeeper
Note
- 6
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origin
From Latin domesticus, from domus meaning "house, home."
Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 3 facts
- English domestic derives from Latin domesticus. en.wiktionary.org
- Latin domesticus derives from domus. en.wiktionary.org
- Latin domus means house or home. en.wiktionary.org