What is house? Pronunciation and usage in English

house means . Learn how to pronounce and use house through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of house

housenoun

/haʊs/
Definition & pronunciation of house

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "house" in English. It's a common stumbling block for learners!

Here's the most accurate way to say it:

ˈhaʊs

Let's break it down syllable by syllable:

  • ˈha - This part sounds like "ha" as in "ha-ha" (a laugh). It's a short, quick sound. The 'ˈ' symbol before it indicates that this syllable is stressed - meaning it's the most emphasized part of the word.
  • ʊ - This is the "oo" sound, like in "foot" or "book." It's a rounded vowel sound.
  • s - A simple "s" sound, as in "sun."

Tips for getting it right:

  • Don’t say “hows”: This is the most frequent mistake. It's not "hows."

  • Keep it short and snappy: The first syllable is quick and light.

  • Listen to examples: The best way to learn is to hear native speakers:

    • Google: Search for "how to pronounce house" on Google and you'll find audio examples.
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/%C3%97%C3%9Aʊs/ (Forvo is a website where you can hear words pronounced by native speakers from different regions).

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Usage and examples with the word house in English

Let's break down how to use the word "house" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with many different meanings and uses! Here's a comprehensive guide:

1. The Literal Meaning: A Building

  • Definition: The most common meaning – a building where people live.
  • Examples:
    • "We live in a house with three bedrooms."
    • "They bought a beautiful old house in the countryside."
    • "The house is painted blue and has a white picket fence."
    • "Let's go to the house and see how they are."

2. Types of Houses:

  • Single-family house: A house for one family.
  • Townhouse: A house that shares one or more walls with neighboring houses.
  • Apartment/Flat: (Often used in British English) – A self-contained living unit in a larger building.
  • Cottage: A small, typically rural house.
  • Mansion: A large, impressive house.
  • Farmhouse: A house on a farm.
  • Holiday House/Vacation Home: A house used for holidays or vacations.

3. Figurative Meanings (Beyond a Physical Building)

  • Family/Household: This is a very common figurative use.
    • “They are a close house.” (Meaning: They are a close family.)
    • "He’s part of a large house." (Meaning: He's part of a large family.)
  • Organization/Company: "The house of publishing" (Meaning: The publishing company). “Big house” (referring to a large corporation)
  • A Place of Residence: Sometimes, "house" implies a place of dwelling, even if it's not a physical building.
    • "He’s lost his house." (Meaning: He's lost his home/family/security.)

4. Phrases Using "House":

  • Housewarming party: A party held to celebrate moving into a new house.
  • House rules: The rules that govern a household.
  • Houseplant: A plant kept indoors.
  • House number: The number identifying a building.
  • Build a house: To construct a house.
  • Buy a house: To purchase a house.
  • Sell a house: To offer a house for sale.
  • House guest: A visitor staying in someone’s house.
  • House sitter: Someone who takes care of a house while the owners are away.

5. Grammatical Points

  • Countable/Uncountable: “House” is a countable noun – you can say “one house,” “two houses,” “many houses.” It’s not an uncountable noun like “water” or “air.”
  • Singular/Plural: The plural is "houses."

Here's a quick way to choose the right word:

  • If you mean the building: Use "house."
  • If you mean family/household: Use "house."
  • If you mean an organization: Use "house" (often with a capital 'H').

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • Are you trying to use “house” in a specific context? (e.g., writing a story, discussing real estate, talking about a family?)

Synonyms for the word house

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