house
house — verb
1. to offer a home, shelter, or storage space for a person, animal, or object
to offer a home, shelter, or storage space for a person, animal, or object
The new community centre will house a library, a clinic, and a small café.
active: house + [facilities] as object
Valentina's grandfather built a large shed to house his collection of vintage cars.
The original documents are now housed at the national archive in Taipei.
passive: be housed at/in [location]
The refugee camp can house up to five thousand people during an emergency.
house + [number] + [people]
Adisa is looking for a bigger apartment to house his growing family.
house + [family / person] as object
- house refugees / families / students / employees
- house a collection / archives / records / equipment
- be housed in / at / within [location]
- a building designed / built to house [something]
- accommodate
slightly broader — can include providing services and amenities, not just space
- shelter
focuses on protection and safety, often for people or animals in need
- contain
only for objects or substances; does not suggest living space or comfort
- store
temporary keeping of objects; does not apply to people or animals
Grammar Patterns
house + object
house + object + preposition + location
Usage Note
Frequently used in the passive structure 'be housed in/at [location]', especially in formal contexts such as museum descriptions, official records, and business reports.
Common Mistakes
house — noun
1. a structure with walls and a roof where people live, typically one family or a s
a structure with walls and a roof where people live, typically one family or a small group
The Huang family bought a house near the river last summer.
Our house has three bedrooms and a small garden at the back.
Elena is looking for a house to rent in the city centre.
collocation: buy/rent a house
The old house at the end of the street has been empty for years.
Hugo and his brother painted the outside of their house bright blue.
- buy a house
- rent a house
- own a house
- live in a house
- house prices
Common Mistakes
2. all the people who live together as a group in one house, considered as a single
all the people who live together as a group in one house, considered as a single unit
The whole house was woken up by the fire alarm at two in the morning.
whole house = everyone living there
Baraka's house has three generations living together under one roof.
In our house, everyone helps with the cooking and cleaning.
in our house = in our family / household
The entire house got together to plan a surprise party for Grandma.
Zayd's house eats dinner at six o'clock every evening without fail.
- whole house
- entire house
- house of five / six (people)
Usage Note
Often used with 'whole' or 'entire' to make clear you are referring to the people, not the building. Usually singular.
Common Mistakes
3. a small building or covered area made for an animal to live in or take shelter
a small building or covered area made for an animal to live in or take shelter
The chickens sleep in a wooden house at the back of the farm every night.
Samir built a small wooden house for his dog in the backyard.
common compounds: doghouse, henhouse
The old tortoise spends the winter in a heated house inside the shed.
The rabbits share a large house with two levels and a ramp.
The farmer cleaned out the hen house and put down fresh straw.
compound: hen house
- dog house
- hen house
- chicken house
Usage Note
Often appears in compound nouns such as 'doghouse', 'henhouse', or the general term 'animal house'. When referring to wild animals, 'den', 'nest', or 'burrow' are more common.
4. a structure that serves a specific public function, such as entertainment, worsh
a structure that serves a specific public function, such as entertainment, worship, or business meetings
The opera house in Sydney is one of the most famous buildings in the world.
compound: opera house
Quan and Talia met at a coffee house near the train station to study together.
The local pub is sometimes called a public house in formal English.
formal term: public house
The movie house downtown shows old films every Tuesday night.
compound: movie house
A new club called the Jazz House opened on Market Street last month.
- opera house
- coffee house
- public house
- house of worship
- movie house
Usage Note
Very often appears in compound nouns that describe the building's function: 'opera house', 'coffee house', 'movie house', 'house of worship'. 'Public house' (pub) is the full formal name for a British bar.
5. a company that works in a specific industry or trade sector, often a well-known
a company that works in a specific industry or trade sector, often a well-known one
Christopher works for a fashion house that designs clothes for film stars.
compound: fashion house
The publishing house released three new novels by Asian authors this spring.
compound: publishing house
Jin joined an investment house right after finishing his degree in finance.
The auction house sold a painting by a famous artist for two million dollars.
compound: auction house
Talia landed a job at a design house that makes furniture for hotels.
- fashion house
- publishing house
- investment house
- auction house
- design house
- company
the most common general term for any business organisation
- firm
often used for professional services such as law or accounting
- corporation
a large company treated as a single legal entity
Usage Note
Common in the names of companies in fashion, publishing, finance, and auctions. 'House' often signals tradition or prestige — compare 'fashion house' (high-end) vs 'clothing company' (general).
6. an eating place that mainly offers one style of cooking, as shown in its name
an eating place that mainly offers one style of cooking, as shown in its name
The new steak house on Main Street is always full on Friday nights.
compound: steak house
We ordered sushi from the Japanese house around the corner for dinner.
Élise took her parents to a pizza house for her birthday celebration.
A new curry house opened next to the library and students love going there.
compound: curry house
The barbecue house on Beach Road serves ribs with a special spicy sauce.
- steak house
- pizza house
- curry house
- sushi house
- restaurant
the general term for any place serving meals
- eatery
informal term for any place to eat
Usage Note
Almost always combined with a word describing the cuisine (steak house, curry house, sushi house, pizza house). This pattern is especially common in American English.
7. used before a noun to describe a drink or dish that a particular restaurant sele
used before a noun to describe a drink or dish that a particular restaurant selects and offers as its own choice, often because it is especially good or fairly priced.
The waiter recommended the house wine, which was both tasty and cheap.
collocation: house wine / house special / house salad
For dessert, Kabir and I both ordered the house special — a warm chocolate cake.
"Try the house salad," said Antonia. "Their homemade dressing is really good."
attributive use: house + noun (wine, special, salad)
"Is the house cocktail any good?" Pedro asked the bartender.
- house wine
- house special
- house salad
- house dressing
- house beer
- own
can replace 'house' in some contexts ('the restaurant's own wine'), but 'house' is more idiomatic in this attributive position
Grammar Patterns
house + noun
Usage Note
Always appears before another noun (house wine, house special, house salad). The item referred to is chosen by the restaurant itself, not by a particular brand or supplier.
8. a hospital where newly qualified doctors work while finishing their practical tr
a hospital where newly qualified doctors work while finishing their practical training under the guidance of more experienced staff.
The house doctor was called to the emergency room at two in the morning.
collocation: house doctor / house surgeon / house physician
James spent two years as a house surgeon at St. Thomas's Hospital in London.
attributive use: house + job title
A team of house physicians handled the night shift at the city clinic.
Élise worked as a house officer at the Royal Infirmary for six months.
- house doctor
- house surgeon
- house physician
- house officer
- junior doctor
more modern term; 'house officer' or 'house doctor' is more traditional British usage
- intern
used in American English for a similar training role
Grammar Patterns
house + noun
Usage Note
Common in job titles for doctors in training: house officer, house physician, house surgeon. Used mainly in British medical contexts.
Common Mistakes
9. a style of popular electronic dance music that has a fast, strong, regular beat
a style of popular electronic dance music that has a fast, strong, regular beat and is often created with electronic equipment.
The nightclub was packed with people dancing to house music until dawn.
collocation: house music
Takeshi prefers house music over hip-hop because of its steady beat.
Indra's party playlist was full of classic house tracks from the 1990s.
collocation: house track / house DJ / house beat
Kian's first time hearing house music was at a small club in Berlin.
- house music
- house track
- house beat
- house DJ
- deep house
- acid house
- electronic dance music
broader category that includes house as one type
- club music
general term; house is a specific genre within club music
Usage Note
Often shortened to 'house' ('I love house.'). There are many sub-genres (deep house, tech house, acid house).
10. a group that students are placed into, usually identified by a colour or a name,
a group that students are placed into, usually identified by a colour or a name, for competing in sports and other school activities.
Students from the blue house won this year's swimming competition.
collocation: [colour] house — red/blue/green/yellow house
Each school house has a captain who helps organize team activities.
Brandon's younger sister was put in the red house at her new school.
Sade earned fifty house points for winning the poetry competition.
collocation: house points
- house captain
- house competition
- house points
- house system
- red/green/blue house
- team
general term; 'house' is specific to the school grouping system
Grammar Patterns
the + colour/name + house
Usage Note
Common in British boarding and private schools. Houses are usually named by colours (red, blue) or by famous people (Nelson House, Churchill House).
11. an important family with a long history, especially a royal or noble family that
an important family with a long history, especially a royal or noble family that has held power or influence for many generations.
The House of Tudor ruled England for more than a hundred years.
pattern: the House of [dynasty name] — Tudor, Windsor, Habsburg, Ming
Members of the royal house have lived in that palace for centuries.
The Ming house governed China for nearly three hundred years.
The Habsburg house controlled large parts of Europe for centuries.
- royal house
- noble house
- House of Windsor
- House of Tudor
- ruling house
Grammar Patterns
the House of + name
Usage Note
Often capitalized (House) when referring to a specific dynasty. The pattern 'the House of [name]' is the most common structure (the House of Windsor, the House of Habsburg).
Common Mistakes
12. a building where the elected lawmakers of a country meet to discuss and pass law
a building where the elected lawmakers of a country meet to discuss and pass laws
The House of Representatives voted on the new tax bill this week.
pattern: the House of [Representatives/Commons/Lords]
Debates in the House of Commons are open to the public.
The Speaker called the members of the House to order before the vote.
the House as a proper noun referring to a specific legislative chamber
The upper house rejected the bill after a long debate among its members.
collocation: upper house / lower house
- House of Commons
- House of Lords
- House of Representatives
- the House
- upper house
- lower house
- chamber
emphasizes the room or body itself; more formal
- legislature
broader term that may include multiple houses
- assembly
general term for a group of lawmakers
Grammar Patterns
the House
the House of + noun
Usage Note
Often capitalized (House) when referring to a specific legislative body. Common patterns: the House of Commons (UK), the House of Lords (UK), the House of Representatives (US, Australia).
Common Mistakes
13. the group of elected officials who are responsible for making new laws as member
the group of elected officials who are responsible for making new laws as members of a country's legislature
The House voted on the new education bill late last night.
the House + singular verb (voted)
Gabriela's proposed law was rejected by the House after three days of debate.
Members of the House must approve any new tax before it can take effect.
collocation: Members of the House
The House has the power to call government officials to answer questions in public hearings.
the House + has the power to + infinitive
- the House
- House of Commons
- House of Representatives
- the House voted
- pass the House
- the House rejected
- parliament
broader term that can refer to the entire system of government, not just one chamber
- legislature
more general term for any law-making body, including state or regional ones
- assembly
used in some countries for the elected law-making group
Usage Note
Frequently capitalized as 'the House' when referring to a specific legislature, such as the House of Commons or the House of Representatives.
Common Mistakes
14. the group of legislators within a formal assembly that puts forward a specific t
the group of legislators within a formal assembly that puts forward a specific topic for all members to discuss and vote on
Gita's house moved that the full chamber discuss the proposed tax changes for small businesses.
[name]'s house moved that... — subgroup proposing a debate topic
The shadow cabinet's house tabled four amendments for debate on the housing bill.
Defne belonged to the house that proposed a debate on coastal flood defences.
the house that proposed — identifies the proposing subgroup
A cross-party house submitted a motion calling for Parliament to debate electoral reform.
- move that the House
- the House debate
- propose that the House
Usage Note
Typically appears in formal parliamentary language with the verb 'move' followed by a that-clause. The definite article is almost always used: 'the House'.
15. all the people who have come to watch a live performance, such as a play, concer
all the people who have come to watch a live performance, such as a play, concert, or film, especially inside a theatre
The whole house gave the cast a standing ovation after the final scene.
the whole house + gave + standing ovation
There was a full house at the National Theatre for the opening of the musical.
collocation: a full house
Tendai could hear the house laughing at every joke the comedian told.
Hyun watched as the house fell completely silent during the most dramatic scene of the play.
the house fell silent
- full house
- packed house
- the whole house
- the house applauded
Usage Note
Used as a collective noun for the audience. 'Full house' is a fixed expression meaning every seat is taken. 'House' in this sense does not refer to the building.
Common Mistakes
bring the house down
idiomTo make an audience laugh or cheer very loudly, especially during a performance.
Maya's comedy routine brought the house down at the talent show.
Did you see how the singer brought the house down with her final song?
clean house
idiomTo remove unwanted people or things from an organization or group.
The new manager decided to clean house and fire several employees.
After the scandal, the board cleaned house to restore trust.
To eat so much of someone's food that it costs them a lot of money.
My teenage son is eating us out of house and home.
How can one guest eat us out of house and home in just a week?
To become friends very quickly and have a great relationship.
Sara and Diego got on like a house on fire at the party.
Do you think they will get on like a house on fire?
To do or ask something in a very indirect and complicated way.
Instead of answering, he went all round the houses.
Why go all round the houses when you can ask directly?
keep house
idiomTo manage the cooking, cleaning, and other household tasks.
After her mother fell ill, Maya had to keep house.
Who will keep house while you are away on business?
Everyone is crying because they are very emotional.
At the wedding, there was not a dry eye in the house.
The movie's ending left not a dry eye in the house.
on the house
idiomGiven free by a restaurant or bar, without charge.
The manager offered us a round of drinks on the house.
Is this dessert really on the house?
You should not criticize others because you have faults too.
Remember, people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.
Before you judge her, think: people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.
play house
idiomA children's game where they pretend to be a family in a home.
The kids spent the afternoon playing house in the backyard.
Do you remember playing house with your sister?
To improve your own behavior or business before criticizing others.
He should put his own house in order before giving advice.
The company needs to set its house in order first.
(as) safe as houses
idiomExtremely safe and secure.
With this new lock, your bike is as safe as houses.
Don't worry, the investment is safe as houses.
set up house
idiomTo start living in a place and make it your home.
They set up house in a small apartment downtown.
When did you two set up house together?
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
House and home are often used interchangeably but differ in emotional weight. House is the physical structure (walls, roof, rooms), while home adds the feeling of belonging — you can buy a house but make it a home. Building is the broadest term: any structure with walls and a roof (office building, school building), not necessarily for living in. Dwelling is formal and neutral, used in legal or technical writing for any place where people live. Residence is even more formal, often describing official or large homes (the ambassador's residence). Accommodation (especially British) is a catch-all for any living space — a room, flat, or house. Shelter focuses on protection from the elements or danger, not comfort: a bus shelter keeps you dry; a homeless shelter provides a bed. Use house when you mean the building itself, home for the emotional sense, building for non-residential structures, and shelter when basic protection is the focus.
Common collocations
Nouns
- house guest
- house key
- house party
- house rules
- house prices
- house sale
- house cleaning
Phrases
- move house
- keep house
- set up house
- put one's house in order
- get on like a house on fire
Prepositions
- in the house
- at the house
- out of the house
- around the house
Etymology
House comes from Old English hus (dwelling, shelter), from Proto-Germanic *husa (a covered structure). It traces further back to the Proto-Indo-European root *(s)keu- meaning "to cover or conceal," which also gave us hide and hut. The word has been in English since before the 9th century and has developed many extended senses — from a physical building to a family dynasty, a law-making body, and even a style of music.