25 Other Ways to Say NEIGHBOR (With Examples)

Sometimes you want to say "neighbor" but with a little twist. Maybe you're writing, chatting, or just trying to sound more natural. Words like resident, local, or fellow townsman can all work depending on the situation. These simple changes can make your words sound fresh and friendly. In this article, we'll look at 25 synonyms for neighbor with examples.

25 Different Ways to Say NEIGHBOR: Another Word for Neighbor

1. Resident

A resident is someone who lives in a particular place, like a street, town, or apartment building. This word works great when you're talking about where someone lives without focusing too much on their personal connection to others. It sounds a little more formal than "neighbor," so it's useful for reports, news, or general writing. Every neighbor is a resident, but not every resident is a neighbor you know personally. You can use it to talk about anyone who lives nearby in your area.

• The residents of our block planned a cleanup event this weekend.
• Every resident in the apartment received a notice about water maintenance.
• The city asked residents to keep their sidewalks clear during winter.

2. Local

"Local" is often used to describe someone from the same town or area as you. It's casual and friendly, perfect for conversations about community or belonging. Unlike "neighbor," it doesn't have to mean the person lives next door, just nearby. It gives a sense of closeness or shared space. You might use it when describing people from the same neighborhood, city, or region.

• I always buy bread from the local baker down the street.
• The locals gathered to celebrate the town festival together.
• As a local, she knows all the best shortcuts around town.

3. Inhabitant

"Inhabitant" sounds a bit formal, but it works when you want to describe someone who lives in a certain place without personal connection. It's a general term used for people or even animals that occupy an area. This word fits well in writing or when you're talking about groups rather than individuals. It describes where someone lives, not necessarily their relationship with others.

• The island's inhabitants rely on fishing for their main income.
• Every inhabitant of the town has heard the story of the old clock tower.
• The forest's inhabitants include birds, squirrels, and deer.

4. Dweller

"Dweller" sounds poetic and slightly old-fashioned but still clear. It's used to describe someone who lives in a place, often with a descriptive word before it like "city dweller" or "mountain dweller." You might not use it for casual talk but it fits well in stories or writing. It adds color and gives a sense of belonging or lifestyle tied to the environment.

• She's always been a city dweller, loving the noise and lights.
• The cave dwellers of ancient times left behind drawings and tools.
• As an apartment dweller, he enjoys the convenience of living downtown.

5. Householder

A householder is someone who owns or rents a home and is responsible for it. It's a little more formal than "neighbor," often used in documents or official language. It refers to a person who manages a household rather than just someone nearby. Still, it can easily describe your neighbor next door who owns or looks after their place.

• Every householder received a letter about recycling rules.
• The survey asked each householder about their monthly expenses.
• The householder next door planted new trees along the fence.

6. Homeowner

A homeowner is someone who owns the home they live in. It's more specific than "neighbor" and focuses on ownership. This word is useful when discussing property, maintenance, or community duties. It's also friendly enough to use when describing people who care for their homes and the area around them.

• The homeowners in our block decided to repaint the street signs.
• Every homeowner received a discount for installing solar panels.
• She's a proud homeowner who loves taking care of her garden.

7. Occupant

"Occupant" means someone who lives or stays in a place, temporarily or permanently. It's a neutral word, often used in official forms, reports, or real estate. It's not personal like "neighbor," but it's useful when you want to focus on someone's presence in a location rather than their relationship with others.

• The building's occupants were asked to leave during the fire drill.
• The new occupant of the apartment seems very friendly.
• Each occupant must follow the safety rules listed by the management.

8. Townsman

A townsman is a person who lives in or comes from a particular town. It's a slightly old-fashioned term but it gives a friendly and familiar feeling. It can be used when you talk about community members or people who share the same home area. It's a good choice for small-town settings or when describing friendly, local relationships.

• Every townsman knows about the yearly summer parade.
• The townsman greeted visitors warmly at the market.
• As a proud townsman, he volunteers at every community event.

9. Villager

A villager is someone who lives in a village, usually a smaller community outside a city. It feels warm and close-knit, describing people who often know each other well. It's more about the community lifestyle and shared space than just proximity. It's perfect when you want to show connection and friendliness among people living nearby.

• Every villager helped repair the bridge after the storm.
• The villagers gathered at the square for the evening celebration.
• A friendly villager offered us directions to the old church.

10. Citizen

A citizen means a member of a city, town, or country. It's more formal than "neighbor" but fits well when talking about belonging or responsibility in a community. It suggests shared rights and duties rather than personal connection. Still, it can describe people living around you, especially when you talk about civic life.

• Every citizen has a duty to keep their neighborhood clean.
• The mayor thanked the citizens for their cooperation during the event.
• As citizens, we should all take care of our environment.

11. Adjoining Resident

An adjoining resident refers to someone whose property or home is directly next to yours. It's a precise and polite phrase used in formal or written contexts. It emphasizes location and proximity rather than friendship. This phrase works well for property discussions, local letters, or city management topics where clarity is needed.

• The adjoining resident reported the fence damage to the council.
• Our adjoining residents agreed to share the cost of the new wall.
• The letter was sent to all adjoining residents for approval.

12. Nearby Person

This phrase is simple and conversational. It describes someone who lives or is close by, without making it too formal. It's friendly and easy to understand. It works when you want to express closeness in a casual way without needing an exact label like neighbor or resident. You can use it in daily talk or writing.

• A nearby person helped me carry the groceries home.
• The nearby people often visit our garden during spring.
• She waved to a nearby person while watering her plants.

13. Closeby

"Closeby" is an informal word that simply means near or nearby. It can describe people, shops, or any place that's within short distance. When used for people, it refers to someone living close to you. It's warm and casual, perfect for everyday conversation. It fits friendly talk more than formal writing.

• Our closeby friends often drop in for evening coffee.
• There's a closeby family who always helps with community events.
• The closeby houses decorated together for the holidays.

14. Borderer

A borderer is someone who lives near a boundary or border area. This term is not very common in daily talk but it can be used in writing or stories. It gives a sense of living at the edge of a place. It's a bit old-fashioned but interesting when describing people near geographical or cultural borders.

• The borderers often trade goods across the river.
• Every borderer knew the customs of both sides.
• The story tells about borderers who lived peacefully together.

15. Next-Door Resident

This term clearly means the person who lives in the house right next to yours. It's a simple, polite way to refer to your neighbor without saying "neighbor." It works in both formal and casual writing. You can use it when describing direct contact, shared spaces, or friendly interactions.

• Our next-door resident always greets us with a smile.
• The next-door resident helped fix the fence after the storm.
• Every next-door resident was invited to the neighborhood meeting.

16. Fellow Resident

A fellow resident means someone who lives in the same area or building as you. The word "fellow" adds a friendly and community feeling. It's polite and suitable for casual or formal use. It highlights shared living space and mutual experience rather than just closeness of houses.

• She introduced herself to a fellow resident in the lobby.
• Every fellow resident joined the block's social gathering.
• The manager sent an email to all fellow residents about repairs.

17. Local Inhabitant

This phrase mixes friendliness and formality. It means someone who lives in a particular place, often used in reports, guides, or conversations about community life. It sounds descriptive but warm. It can apply to small villages, towns, or city areas. It works well when you want to sound clear and respectful.

• The local inhabitants gathered for the town's annual fair.
• Every local inhabitant knows the legend of the old lighthouse.
• Tourists often chat with local inhabitants to learn about traditions.

18. Community Member

A community member refers to someone who belongs to a group of people living or working together. It focuses more on participation and belonging than location. It's friendly and respectful, suitable for schools, clubs, or neighborhoods. It works when you talk about shared activities and teamwork within a place.

• Every community member helped decorate for the holiday event.
• The new community member joined the gardening club.
• Community members work together to keep the park clean.

19. Co-tenant

A co-tenant is someone who shares a rented property or building with others. It's common in apartments or shared housing. This word focuses on the living arrangement rather than friendship. It's more formal but still clear. It's useful when discussing rental agreements or shared responsibilities.

• Each co-tenant signed the lease together.
• The co-tenants divided the rent evenly every month.
• One co-tenant reported a leak to the landlord immediately.

20. Fellow Townsman

This phrase has a warm, old-fashioned charm. It refers to someone from the same town or area as you. It shows a sense of shared pride or local connection. It's polite and can be used in both friendly and formal ways. It works great for speeches, community messages, or storytelling.

• Every fellow townsman joined the fair to celebrate the harvest.
• He's proud to call her a fellow townsman.
• Fellow townsmen gathered to support local artists.

21. Fellow Human

This phrase goes beyond physical closeness and focuses on kindness and humanity. It's a beautiful way to express caring for others, like in moral or emotional contexts. Instead of meaning someone who lives nearby, it highlights compassion and unity. It's often used in friendly or thoughtful talk about people in general.

• Always show respect and kindness to your fellow humans.
• Helping a fellow human in need makes the world better.
• Every fellow human deserves understanding and care.

22. Companion

A companion is someone who spends time with you or shares experiences. While not exactly a direct synonym for neighbor, it can describe someone close by who keeps you company. It's friendly, personal, and emotional. It adds warmth and connection to the idea of living near someone. It works in friendly or storytelling settings.

• My garden companion always waves from her porch.
• Every morning, he greets his walking companion next door.
• The two companions have lived next to each other for years.

23. Ally

An ally is someone who supports or stands with you. While it usually refers to friends or partners, it can describe a helpful neighbor. It's great when you talk about teamwork, cooperation, or support between people who live close. It gives a positive, friendly feeling. It's about helping one another as neighbors often do.

• My next-door ally always helps shovel snow in winter.
• The allies on our street plan every community event together.
• Having an ally nearby makes the neighborhood feel safer.

24. Associate

An associate is someone you know or work with, not necessarily a close friend. It's a bit more formal and professional. When used for neighbors, it can mean someone you interact with regularly but not personally. It's useful in polite or workplace-like settings where familiarity is present but limited.

• My associate from next door often discusses local business ideas.
• The building associates met to decide on maintenance costs.
• She's more of an associate than a friend, but always helpful.

25. Friend

Friend is one of the warmest ways to describe a neighbor. It shows a personal bond beyond location. When your neighbor becomes a friend, you share more than just fences—you share life moments. It's casual, loving, and fits perfectly in everyday talk. This synonym brings out the best part of living close to others.

• My neighbor is more like a close friend to me.
• Every friend on our street helps one another during holidays.
• She's my oldest friend and still lives next door.

Table of Synonyms for Neighbor

Final Thoughts

I hope this list helps you find the perfect word for every situation. Whether you want something friendly, formal, or creative, there's always another way to say "neighbor." Each synonym brings its own color and meaning. Try using different ones to make your writing or conversation sound more natural, warm, and full of life.