house
HOWS
House (noun) means a building where people live, typically a single family. Example: “They bought their first house on a quiet cul-de-sac.”
noun
1
A building where people live, typically a single family.
"They bought their first house on a quiet cul-de-sac."
"The house needed a new roof before winter."
"We painted the front of our house yellow last summer."
2
The people who live together in a home; a household.
"The whole house came down with the flu that week."
"The whole house was asleep when the thunder began to rumble."
"She shouted up the stairs, and the entire house heard her."
3
A building used for a specific business or purpose, often named for it (e.g. publishing house, opera house).
"The manuscript was rejected by every major publishing house."
"They went to the opera house to watch a famous singer perform."
"The old auction house in the high street sells antiques every month."
4
A branch or chamber of a legislature, or the assembly itself.
"The bill passed the lower house by a narrow margin."
"Members of the upper house debated the new law for several hours."
"The House voted to take a short break before the next debate."
5
A family line, especially a royal or noble dynasty.
"The House of Windsor has ruled for over a century."
"The prince was born into a powerful house that had ruled for centuries."
"In the story, the two noble houses have been rivals for generations."
6
A genre of electronic dance music built on repetitive four-on-the-floor beats.
"The club played house all night."
"My brother prefers house to rock when he's cleaning his room."
"The DJ mixed house and funk, and everyone stayed on the dance floor."
verb
1
To provide shelter, storage, or living space for someone or something.
"The old warehouse now houses a modern art gallery."
"The shelter houses over a hundred rescued dogs."
"The new library will house thousands of books and a small reading room."
How to use house
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA building people live in, or more broadly, any structure or institution that "holds" something — a family, a business, an assembly, even a genre of music.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
house of representatives
buy a house
house music
housed in
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Word forms
- Plural
- houses, housen, hice
- Third person singular
- houses
- Past tense
- housed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They bought their first _____ on a quiet cul-de-sac.
Etymology
From Old English hūs ("dwelling, shelter"), from a Proto-Germanic root possibly meaning "to cover or hide" — related distantly to the word "hose."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for house
See all rhymes for house →Frequently asked questions
What does “house” mean?
The word “house” means a building where people live, typically a single family. In plain terms, a building people live in, or more broadly, any structure or institution that "holds" something — a family, a business, an assembly, even a genre of music.
How do you pronounce “house”?
“House” is pronounced HOWS (/ˈhaʊ̯s/ in IPA).
How do you use “house” in a sentence?
Here is “house” used in a sentence: “They bought their first house on a quiet cul-de-sac.”
What part of speech is “house”?
Depending on how it is used, “house” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “house” come from?
The word “house” comes from Old English. From Old English hūs ("dwelling, shelter"), from a Proto-Germanic root possibly meaning "to cover or hide" — related distantly to the word "hose.".
Is “house” a common word?
“House” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “house” have?
“House” has 7 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a building where people live, typically a single family.
What is the difference between a house and a home?
A house is the physical building: walls, rooms, and a roof. A home is the feeling and life inside it, where you belong, feel comfortable, and are surrounded by family or memories. Any house can be a home, but "home" adds warmth and belonging that the plain word "house" does not.
What are the main types of houses?
Common types include detached houses, which stand alone; semi-detached, joined to one neighbour; and terraced houses, joined in a row. Others include bungalows, built on a single storey; cottages, small and traditional; and townhouses. The right term depends on how the building is arranged and connected to those around it.
What is the difference between a house and a flat?
A house is usually a whole building occupied by one household, often with its own front door and garden. A flat, or apartment, is a self-contained home within a larger building, sharing walls, floors, or an entrance with other flats. The main difference is whether you occupy the entire structure.
What is the difference between a house and a household?
A house is the building itself. A household means the people who live together in it as one unit, sharing bills, meals, or a budget. So one house can contain a single household or, if it is divided into separate living arrangements, more than one household under the same roof.
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