Homemade vs. Home Made – Which is Correct?
The correct spelling for the adjective meaning “made at home” is homemade, written as a single, unhyphenated word. While “home made” might appear in informal contexts, it is generally considered a misspelling or non-standard usage when intended as a compound adjective. Always opt for the single-word form for clarity and correctness.
Homemade or Home Made – Which is Correct?
When referring to something produced in one’s home rather than in a factory or commercial setting, the correct and universally accepted spelling is homemade. This is a closed compound adjective, meaning two words have been joined together to form a new word with a distinct meaning. The two-word phrase “home made” is a common error stemming from confusion about how compound words are formed in English.
While “home made” could theoretically be construed in a very specific grammatical context where “home” acts as an adverb modifying “made” (e.g., “The quilt was made home by my grandmother,” though “made at home” would be more natural), this is not its intended use when functioning as a direct adjective before a noun. In such cases, the single word “homemade” is always correct.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
To remember the difference, think of it this way: if you’re describing a single item that was produced at home, use a single word – homemade. If the phrase acts as a modifier directly preceding a noun (e.g., “homemade bread,” “homemade jam”), it should always be the single-word compound adjective. If you can replace it with “made at home,” it’s likely “homemade.”
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homemade | Adjective | Made at home, typically by hand, rather than in a factory or store. | The aroma of homemade cookies filled the kitchen. |
| Home made | Often Incorrect | Not a standard compound adjective. Generally considered a misspelling when used to describe something made at home. | Incorrect: |
How to Use Homemade
The word homemade functions exclusively as an adjective. It describes a noun, indicating that the item was created in a domestic setting, often implying a personal touch, traditional methods, or a lack of mass production. It conveys a sense of authenticity, care, and sometimes superior quality compared to store-bought alternatives. There is no specific formal or casual tone associated with its use; it is appropriate in various contexts.
Example 1: For the bake sale, Sarah contributed her famous homemade apple pie.
Example 2: The restaurant prides itself on serving only homemade pasta and sauces.
Example 3: Nothing beats the comfort of a warm bowl of homemade soup on a cold day.
Etymology of the word Homemade
The word “homemade” is a relatively straightforward compound. It combines the noun “home,” referring to a dwelling or residence, with the past participle “made,” indicating creation or production. The term began to appear as a single word in English in the late 17th or early 18th century, solidifying its place as a distinct compound adjective by the 19th century as a way to differentiate items produced domestically from those made in emerging factories or commercial operations.
Related Concepts
Understanding related grammatical concepts can clarify why “homemade” is one word and “home made” is typically incorrect as an adjective.
- Compound Adjectives: These are adjectives formed by combining two or more words, which then function as a single descriptive unit. “Homemade” is a closed compound adjective, meaning it’s written as one word without a hyphen. Other examples include “freshwater” or “overnight.”
- Hyphenation: While “homemade” is a closed compound, many other compound adjectives are hyphenated (e.g., “well-known,” “full-time”). The rules for hyphenation can be complex, but generally, a hyphen is used when two or more words act as a single adjective before a noun to avoid ambiguity. Over time, frequently used hyphenated compounds often become closed compounds, like “homemade” has.
Examples from Media and Literature
- From a recipe blog: “This recipe for homemade sourdough bread requires just a few simple ingredients and a bit of patience.”
- In a review: “The film had a charmingly homemade feel, reminiscent of independent cinema from the 90s.”
- From a news article: “Local artisans showcased their unique homemade crafts at the annual spring fair.”
- In a novel: “She always kept a jar of her grandmother’s famous homemade strawberry jam in the pantry.”
- From a parenting magazine: “Encouraging children to make homemade gifts can teach them the value of effort and personal connection.”
Homemade Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Handmade | Made by hand or by a hand process, not by machine. |
| Handcrafted | Made skillfully by hand. |
| Artisanal | Relating to or characteristic of an artisan; made in a traditional or non-mechanized way using high-quality ingredients. |
| Domestic | Of or relating to the home, household, or family. (Less direct, but implies origin.) |
| Home-produced | Produced at home. (Often hyphenated as a compound adjective.) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Why is “homemade” one word and not two?
“Homemade” is a closed compound adjective. Over time, in English, certain word pairs that frequently appear together to describe a single concept become fused into one word. This indicates that they function as a single grammatical unit, in this case, an adjective.
Question 2: Can “home made” ever be correct?
While “home made” is incorrect as a compound adjective (e.g., “home made cookies”), it could appear in a construction where “home” is a noun and “made” is a verb, or where “home” acts adverbially, though this is less common and often sounds awkward (e.g., “The house was made home by their presence,” or “The item was made home”). For describing something produced in a home, “homemade” is always the correct choice.
Question 3: Does “homemade” need a hyphen?
No, “homemade” does not require a hyphen. It is a fully established closed compound adjective. Hyphens are sometimes used for temporary or newly formed compound adjectives (e.g., “well-known author”), but “homemade” has long since passed this stage.
Conclusion
In the choice between “homemade” and “home made,” the answer is clear: homemade is the correct and standard spelling for the adjective meaning “made at home.” Understanding this distinction is key to precise and professional writing. While minor spelling errors might seem inconsequential, consistent use of correct grammar and spelling upholds your credibility as a communicator.
