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noun

outhouse

OWT-hows

Outhouse (noun) means a small outdoor toilet built as a separate structure, typically without plumbing. Example: “The old cabin still had an outhouse instead of indoor plumbing.”

noun
1
A small outdoor toilet built as a separate structure, typically without plumbing.
"The old cabin still had an outhouse instead of indoor plumbing."
2
Any small building separate from the main house.
"They stored garden tools in the outhouse."

How to use outhouse

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA small building apart from the main house, especially one used as a toilet.

UK vs US

In the US, this most often means an outdoor toilet; in the UK, it more often refers to any small outbuilding like a shed.

Word forms

outhoused past tense, outhouses plural, outhouses singular

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The old cabin still had an _____ instead of indoor plumbing.

Etymology

From Middle English outhous, built from "out-" plus "house."

Origin: Middle English

backhouse backside bog boggard boghouse carsey chamber foreign common house commons Cousin John craphouse danna

Related words

Rhymes for outhouse

See all rhymes for outhouse →

Frequently asked questions

What does “outhouse” mean?

The word “outhouse” means a small outdoor toilet built as a separate structure, typically without plumbing. In plain terms, a small building apart from the main house, especially one used as a toilet.

How do you pronounce “outhouse”?

“Outhouse” is pronounced OWT-hows (/ˈaʊthaʊs/ in IPA).

How do you use “outhouse” in a sentence?

Here is “outhouse” used in a sentence: “The old cabin still had an outhouse instead of indoor plumbing.”

What is another word for “outhouse”?

Words with a similar meaning to “outhouse” include backhouse, backside, bog, boggard, boghouse and carsey.

What part of speech is “outhouse”?

“Outhouse” is a noun.

Where does the word “outhouse” come from?

The word “outhouse” comes from Middle English. From Middle English outhous, built from "out-" plus "house.".

How many meanings does “outhouse” have?

“Outhouse” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small outdoor toilet built as a separate structure, typically without plumbing.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial