Address vs. Residence: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on October 8, 2023
Address refers to the specifics of a location (like street name), while residence pertains to a home or dwelling where one lives.
Key Differences
Address and residence, while somewhat interchangeable, hold distinctive connotations in different contexts. An address, typically reflects a specific location, detailing possibly a street, city, state, and other locational markers that guide one to a particular point on the map. On the other hand, residence leans more toward indicating a place where someone lives, holding a more personal and inhabited implication.
Address is universally applicable, being utilized to pinpoint the location of a business, individual, or even an uninhabited building. A residence, conversely, while also a location, specifically implies a dwelling place and comes with an assumption of habitation. This denotes that when we refer to a place as someone’s residence, we’re subtly affirming its status as a lived-in space.
In legal and formal documents, an address provides a systematic and precise location, assisting in identifying where a person or entity can be contacted or located. A residence might hold legal implications as well, signaling where a person resides – potentially affecting things like jurisdiction or where they are registered to vote, which might not always align perfectly with a mailing address.
Functionality in language also separates address and residence. An address, with its numerical and street name components, serves as a pinpoint in navigational terms. The term residence, although it indicates a place of living, doesn’t carry with it the same specificity regarding exact location but underscores the aspect of dwelling instead.
When sending mail or packages, an address, including all its specific elements like postal codes, ensures it reaches the intended destination. When speaking of residence in a mailing context, it could be seen as referring to a household or a place where someone is residing, rather than a pinpoint for postal delivery, showcasing how these terms, while related, function uniquely in our lexicon.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Specifies a location.
A place where one lives.
Implication
No implication of habitation.
Implies habitation.
Usage in Navigation
Used to locate places.
Not specific for navigation.
Legal Implications
Used for mailing, not necessarily living.
Can influence legal jurisdictions.
Contextual Usage
Can refer to businesses, places, etc.
Primarily refers to dwelling spaces.
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Address and Residence Definitions
Address
The way in which a person communicates with or refers to someone.
Her address towards her elder was respectful.
Residence
The fact of living in a place.
His residence in the country was brief.
Address
To deal with or take action on.
We need to address this issue immediately.
Residence
The official home of a ruler or official.
The palace is the monarch's official residence.
Address
To speak to
Addressed me in low tones.
Residence
The time during which one has lived in a place.
His residence in Chicago lasted 10 years.
Address
To make a formal speech to
Addressed the union members at the convention.
Residence
A large impressive house.
The estate had been his residence for years.
Address
To call (a person to whom one is speaking) by a particular name or term
Address the judge as "Your Honor.".
Residence
The place in which one lives; a dwelling.
Address
To direct (a spoken or written message) to the attention of
Address a protest to the faculty senate.
Residence
The act or a period of residing in a place.
Address
To mark with a destination
Address a letter.
Residence
A medical residency.
Address
To direct the efforts or attention of (oneself)
Address oneself to a task.
Residence
The official home or location of a corporation.
Address
To begin to deal with
Addressed the issue of taxes.
Residence
The place where one lives (resides); one's home.
Address
To dispatch or consign (a ship, for example) to an agent or factor.
Residence
A building or portion thereof used as a home, such as a house#Noun or an apartment#Noun therein.
Address
(Sports) To adjust and aim the club at (a golf ball) in preparing for a stroke.
Residence
The place where a corporation is established.
Address
A description of the location of a person or organization, as written or printed on mail as directions for delivery
Wrote the address on the envelope.
Residence
The state of living in a particular place or environment.
Address
The location at which a particular organization or person may be found or reached
Went to her address but no one was home.
Residence
Accommodation for students at a university or college.
Address
A name or a sequence of characters that designates an email account or a specific site on the internet or other network.
Residence
The place where anything rests permanently.
Address
A name or number used in information storage or retrieval assigned to or identifying a specific memory location.
Residence
Subsidence, as of a sediment
Address
A formal speech or written communication.
Residence
That which falls to the bottom of liquors; sediment; also, refuse; residuum.
Address
Often addresses Courteous attentions.
Residence
(espionage) rezidentura
Address
The manner or bearing of a person, especially in conversation.
Residence
The act or fact of residing, abiding, or dwelling in a place for some continuance of time; as, the residence of an American in France or Italy for a year.
The confessor had often made considerable residences in Normandy.
Address
Skill, deftness, or grace in dealing with people or situations
"With the charms of beauty she combined the address of an accomplished intriguer" (Charles Merivale).
Residence
The place where one resides; an abode; a dwelling or habitation; esp., a settled or permanent home or domicile.
Johnson took up his residence in London.
Address
Direction.
Residence
The residing of an incumbent on his benefice; - opposed to nonresidence.
Address
(obsolete) Guidance; help.
Residence
The place where anything rests permanently.
But when a king sets himself to bandy against the highest court and residence of all his regal power, he then, . . . fights against his own majesty and kingship.
Address
A polite approach made to another person, especially of a romantic nature; an amorous advance.
Residence
Subsidence, as of a sediment.
Address
A manner of speaking or writing to another; language, style.
A man of pleasing or insinuating address
Residence
That which falls to the bottom of liquors; sediment; also, refuse; residuum.
Address
A formal approach to a sovereign, especially an official appeal or petition; later specifically a response given by each of the Houses of Parliament to the sovereign's speech at the opening of Parliament.
Residence
Any address at which you dwell more than temporarily;
A person can have several residences
Address
An act of addressing oneself to a person or group; a discourse or speech, or a record of this.
Residence
The official house or establishment of an important person (as a sovereign or president);
He refused to live in the governor's residence
Address
A description of the location of a property, usually with at least a street name and number, name of a town, and now also a postal code; such a description as superscribed for direction on an envelope or letter.
The President's address is 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C.
Residence
The act of dwelling in a place
Address
(by extension) The property itself.
I went to his address but there was nobody there.
Residence
A large and imposing house
Address
(computing) A number identifying a specific storage location in computer memory; a string of characters identifying a location on the internet or other network; sometimes specifically an e-mail address.
The program will crash if there is no valid data stored at that address.
Residence
A place where a person lives.
My residence is close to the school.
Address
Preparation.
Address
Preparedness for some task; resourcefulness; skill, ability.
Address
(obsolete) The act of getting ready; preparation.
Address
The act of bringing the head of the club up to the ball in preparation for swinging.
Address
To prepare oneself.
Address
To direct speech.
Address
To aim; to direct.
Address
To prepare or make ready.
Address
To prepare oneself; to apply one's skill or energies (to some object); to betake.
Address
(reflexive) To direct one’s remarks (to someone).
Address
To clothe or array; to dress.
Address
(transitive) To direct, as words (to anyone or anything); to make, as a speech, petition, etc. (to any audience).
He addressed some portions of his remarks to his supporters, some to his opponents.
Address
(transitive) To direct speech to; to make a communication to, whether spoken or written; to apply to by words, as by a speech, petition, etc., to speak to.
Address
(transitive) To direct in writing, as a letter; to superscribe, or to direct and transmit.
He addressed a letter.
Address
(transitive) To make suit to as a lover; to court; to woo.
Address
(transitive) To consign or entrust to the care of another, as agent or factor.
The ship was addressed to a merchant in Baltimore.
Address
(transitive) To address oneself to; to prepare oneself for; to apply oneself to; to direct one's speech, discourse or efforts to.
Address
To direct attention towards a problem or obstacle, in an attempt to resolve it.
Address
To refer to a location in computer memory.
Address
To get ready to hit (the ball on the tee).
Address
To aim; to direct.
And this good knight his way with me addrest.
Address
To prepare or make ready.
His foe was soon addressed.
Turnus addressed his men to single fight.
The five foolish virgins addressed themselves at the noise of the bridegroom's coming.
Address
Reflexively: To prepare one's self; to apply one's skill or energies (to some object); to betake.
These men addressed themselves to the task.
Address
To clothe or array; to dress.
Tecla . . . addressed herself in man's apparel.
Address
To direct, as words (to any one or any thing); to make, as a speech, petition, etc. (to any one, an audience).
The young hero had addressed his players to him for his assistance.
Address
To direct speech to; to make a communication to, whether spoken or written; to apply to by words, as by a speech, petition, etc., to speak to; to accost.
Are not your orders to address the senate?
The representatives of the nation addressed the king.
Address
To direct in writing, as a letter; to superscribe, or to direct and transmit; as, he addressed a letter.
Address
To make suit to as a lover; to court; to woo.
Address
To consign or intrust to the care of another, as agent or factor; as, the ship was addressed to a merchant in Baltimore.
Address
To prepare one's self.
Address
To direct speech.
Young Turnus to the beauteous maid addrest.
Address
Act of preparing one's self.
Address
Act of addressing one's self to a person; verbal application.
Address
A formal communication, either written or spoken; a discourse; a speech; a formal application to any one; a petition; a formal statement on some subject or special occasion; as, an address of thanks, an address to the voters.
Address
Direction or superscription of a letter, or the name, title, and place of residence of the person addressed.
Address
Manner of speaking to another; delivery; as, a man of pleasing or insinuating address.
Address
Attention in the way one's addresses to a lady.
Address
Skill; skillful management; dexterity; adroitness.
Address
(computer science) the code that identifies where a piece of information is stored
Address
The place where a person or organization can be found or communicated with
Address
The act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience;
He listened to an address on minor Roman poets
Address
The manner of speaking to another individual;
He failed in his manner of address to the captain
Address
A sign in front of a house or business carrying the conventional form by which its location is described
Address
Written directions for finding some location; written on letters or packages that are to be delivered to that location
Address
The stance assumed by a golfer in preparation for hitting a golf ball
Address
Social skill
Address
Speak to;
He addressed the crowd outside the window
Address
Give a speech to;
The chairman addressed the board of trustees
Address
Put an address on (an envelope, for example)
Address
Direct a question at someone
Address
Address or apply oneself to something, direct one's efforts towards something, such as a question
Address
Greet, as with a prescribed form, title, or name;
He always addresses me with `Sir'
Call me Mister
She calls him by first name
Address
Access or locate by address
Address
Deal with verbally or in some form of artistic expression;
This book deals with incest
The course covered all of Western Civilization
The new book treats the history of China
Address
Speak to someone
Address
Adjust and aim (a golf ball) at in preparation fo hitting
Address
The specific location of a place.
Please send the package to my address.
Address
A formal speech.
The president will give an address tonight.
Address
To direct a comment or statement toward.
He will address the audience shortly.
FAQs
What does "residence" commonly refer to?
"Residence" commonly refers to a place where someone lives, often implying habitation.
Can a "residence" be an "address"?
Yes, when a residence’s specific location details are provided, it is an address.
Can an "address" refer to a location abroad?
Yes, an address can specify a location in any country.
Do all "addresses" include a postal/ZIP code?
Most do for mailing purposes, but it's not an absolute necessity for definition.
Can "residence" refer to an entire building of apartments?
It can, especially in general terms, but typically it denotes a specific dwelling within a larger structure.
What is the primary use of the term "address"?
"Address" primarily indicates a specific geographical location, often for mailing or visiting purposes.
Does "residence" always imply a permanent dwelling place?
Not necessarily, "residence" can refer to both permanent and temporary dwelling places.
Can "address" also refer to a speech or communication style?
Yes, "address" can also refer to a formal speech or the manner in which someone speaks to someone else.
Is "residence" used in legal contexts?
Yes, "residence" is used legally to indicate where a person lives, which can have legal implications.
Can an "address" refer to an email location?
Yes, in digital communication, an email location is commonly referred to as an email address.
Is an "address" always a "residence"?
No, an address can specify any location, not just residences, such as a business.
Can "residence" refer to a country of dwelling?
Yes, it can indicate the country where a person resides, though it often implies a more specific dwelling.
Does "residence" only apply to physical spaces?
Typically, yes. "Residence" generally refers to a tangible dwelling place.
How does one "address" a person in communication?
To "address" someone involves directing speech or correspondence to them, using appropriate titles or names.
Can "address" be a verb?
Yes, "address" can be a verb, meaning to direct speech or correspondence to someone or deal with an issue.
What is a business "address"?
A business address specifies the geographical location of a company's operations or registrations.
How is "address" used in the context of technology?
In tech, an "address" can refer to a location in memory where data is stored, such as an IP address.
Is a "residence" always a house?
No, a residence can be any dwelling place, such as an apartment, a suite, or other living spaces.
Can a person have more than one "residence"?
Yes, a person can have multiple residences, like a primary home and a vacation home.
Is "residence" associated with any particular time frame?
No strict time frame defines a residence, but it often implies a degree of permanency or habitual dwelling.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
