Homemade or Home-made: Which Is Correct?
Updated · Which One Is Correct editorial team
Quick answer: When deciding between homemade or home-made, the standard spelling in most dictionaries is the one-word version. While the hyphenated form exists, it is primarily used in British English. You should choose the single-word option for general American usage. This distinction helps ensure your writing matches standard conventions and avoids unnecessary confusion in your text.
The Short Answer
The verdict is clear: Homemade as a single word is the standard spelling found in major dictionaries. The hyphenated version home-made is considered a variant that is mostly used in British English rather than American usage.
People often confuse these forms because they sound exactly the same when spoken aloud. Historical usage also played a role, as writers once used hyphens frequently to connect compound words. However, language trends have shifted over time to favor the closed form for words like this.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Form | Status | Use it when |
|---|---|---|
| Homemade | Standard | General American writing and most modern contexts |
| Home-made | Variant | Specific British English publications or older texts |
| Adjective | Standard | Describing food or goods made within your own house |
| Noun | Standard | Referring to the category of foods prepared at home |
Correct Example Sentences
- She baked a delicious homemade cake for the party.
- The family enjoys eating homemade soup every weekend.
- He repaired his bicycle with homemade tools he crafted.
- Many people prefer homemade cookies to store-bought ones.
- This recipe calls for homemade bread to finish the dish.
- The store sells homemade candles made from natural wax.
- Our garden features homemade decorations crafted by the kids.
- She prefers homemade laundry detergent for a gentle clean.
- The chef served homemade jam alongside the fresh fruit.
- Buying homemade gifts is always more meaningful than store items.
Common Mistakes and Fixes
- I made a home-made meal for my guests last night.
- I made a homemade meal for my guests last night.
- Please pass the homemade bread to the table.
- Please pass the homemade bread to the table.
- They sell homemade crafts at the local market.
- They sell homemade crafts at the local market.
- She enjoys homemade clothing she sews herself.
- She enjoys homemade clothing she sews herself.
- The dog ate a homemade treat from the kitchen.
- The dog ate a homemade treat from the kitchen.
- We bought homemade wine for the dinner party.
- We bought homemade wine for the dinner party.
Related Word Pairs
- Handmade vs Hand-Made
- Handmade is the standard spelling while hand-made is an older hyphenated form that is rarely used now.
- Household vs House-Hold
- Household is the correct single word for a group of people living together and should not be written as house-hold.
- Grounded vs Ground-Ed
- Grounded is the proper spelling for being connected to earth or disciplined, and ground-ed is a common misspelling to avoid.
- Weathered vs Weather-Ed
- Weathered describes exposure to elements or an experienced look and never splits the ending into weather-ed.
- Baked vs Bake-D
- Baked is the past tense of bake and does not take a hyphen or extra d even when used as an adjective.
- Folded vs Fold-Ed
- Folded means to bend material over itself and the correct spelling keeps the d attached to the root without a hyphen.
- Washed vs Wash-Ed
- Washed indicates cleaning with water and is always written as one word without any separating hyphens.
- Pressed vs Press-Ed
- Pressed means to push firmly or be anxious and should be kept as a single word without hyphenation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do some people still use home-made with a hyphen?
The hyphenated form home-made persists mainly in British English contexts or older texts. Modern American dictionaries and style guides strongly prefer the closed word homemade, so using the hyphen can appear outdated or regionally specific in the United States.
Can I use home-made in formal writing?
You should generally avoid home-made in formal American writing. Using the single word homemade aligns with current dictionary standards and ensures your text looks professional and follows established conventions for American English spelling.
Does the meaning change between the two forms?
No, the meaning remains exactly the same for both forms. Both indicate that something was created or prepared within a house, but the spelling choice depends on regional preferences or specific style guides you are following for your audience.
Should I hyphenate homemade when used as an adjective?
You should not hyphenate it even when used as an adjective. Words like homemade function as standard adjectives describing items made at home, and they do not require a hyphen in modern usage regardless of their position in the sentence structure.
