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).

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation?
  • Give you more examples of similar words?

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

Practice with vocabulary house

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The real estate agent showed us a beautiful detached ___________ with three bedrooms and a spacious backyard.
  2. After extensive renovations, the old farm ___________ was transformed into a charming bed and breakfast.
  3. Finding an affordable ___________ close to the financial district proved to be quite challenging for the new intern.
  4. The ambassador's official ___________ is often used for diplomatic receptions and formal gatherings.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (There may be multiple correct answers)

  1. Which of the following terms most generally describes a free-standing residential building, typically owned by a single family? a) apartment b) condominium c) house d) townhouse
  2. Select the terms that can refer to a large, impressive residential building. a) palace b) house c) manor d) cottage
  3. Which of the following can refer to a legislative body or a commercial company specializing in a particular field (e.g., publishing)? a) chamber b) house c) assembly d) agency
  4. Which word emphasizes the emotional connection, comfort, and personal belongings associated with a living space? a) dwelling b) residence c) home d) property
  5. Which of these terms refers to any structure with walls and a roof, regardless of its purpose (residential, commercial, industrial)? a) habitat b) building c) establishment d) abode

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. After years of renting, they finally managed to save enough for the down payment on their own independent residential structure.
    • (Rewrite using "house")
  2. The company provided accommodation for all its visiting international delegates during the conference.
    • (Rewrite using a word form of "house")
  3. The historical house on the corner is currently undergoing extensive restoration work.
    • (Rewrite without using "house")

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. house
  2. house
  3. apartment
  4. residence

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. c) house
  2. a) palace, b) house, c) manor
  3. b) house
  4. c) home
  5. b) building

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. After years of renting, they finally managed to save enough for the down payment on their own house.
  2. The company housed all its visiting international delegates during the conference.
  3. The historical property on the corner is currently undergoing extensive restoration work.

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