landlord
LAND-lord
/ˈlændlɔːrd/
A person who rents land, a building, or an apartment to a tenant.
Refers to the owner of the property who has legal authority to lease it and collect rent.
The story behind the word. A compound of Old English 'land' and 'hlafard' (bread-keeper, lord). Historically, it referred to a feudal lord who held land directly from the king and rented it to peasants.
Word relationships
- property owner: Property owner is a neutral, legal term, while landlord specifically highlights the relationship with a tenant.
- lessor: Lessor is a highly formal, legal term used in contracts, whereas landlord is used in everyday speech.
- tenant: The person who rents and occupies the property from the landlord.
Commonly confused with
- proprietor: A proprietor is the owner of a business, while a landlord is the owner of rented real estate.
Word family
- landlady (noun): A female landlord.
- landlordship (noun): The state of being a landlord.
Collocations
- absentee landlord
- landlord-tenant law
- private landlord
- contact the landlord
Example sentences
- "The landlord agreed to replace the broken refrigerator before the new tenants moved in." Property maintenance
- "The landlord must provide a safe and habitable living environment for all tenants." Legal obligations
Memory hook
The 'lord' of the 'land' is the landlord. The landlord owns the land.
When not to use
Do not use for hotel managers or property managers who do not actually own the building.
Fun facts
- The term 'landlord' is a direct survival of the feudal system, where land ownership was tied to social status and power.
Explore more words
creditor, lend, tenure, stewardship, shareholder, accountant
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