inmate
/ˈɪn.meɪt/
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Also seen as: inmates
Sense 1
Meaning · English
A person confined to an institution such as a prison (as a convict) or hospital (as a patient).
Noun
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
A person who shares a residence (such as a hotel guest, a lodger, or a student living on campus), or other place.
Noun
Examples
I love to sail forbidden seas, and land on barbarous coasts. Not ignoring what is good, I am quick to perceive a horror, and could still be social with it—would they let me—since it is but well to be on friendly terms with all the inmates of the place one lodges in.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “inmate” mean?
A person confined to an institution such as a prison (as a convict) or hospital (as a patient).
Is “inmate” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.