Word of the Day: House
The word “house” can be a noun or a verb, and it’s often used in forming compound words (two words joined together to form one word).
- Valerie and Pat live in a three-bedroom house.
- The house has two and a half bathrooms.*
- The house sits on a quarter-acre lot.
When the word “house” is used as a verb, the sound of the “s” changes to a “z” sound: house. (s = /z/) To house means to provide a place to live.
- The apartment building houses four families.
- The prison houses over a thousand inmates.
- The cage that houses the tigers needs to be cleaned today.
The word “housing” refers to the arrangements available for living in a place. This popular noun can describe a house, an apartment, a mobile home, a tent, etc.
- Affordable housing is becoming an important issue in this area.
- Subsidized housing is available through the government for people who need temporary help.
- What are the housing choices like in the area where you live?
- People needed safe housing following the earthquake.
You’ll often hear the word “house” in combination with other words to form compound words (two words joined together):
- The housekeeper cleaned the house.
- The housekeeping department of the hotel is hiring new workers.
- People down the street are having a housewarming party. (a party for new occupants of a house or apartment)
- There are seven people in their household. (the group of people who live in a place)
- Christine doesn’t like to be called a housewife.
- Houseplants provide fresh oxygen to your home.
- Do you have your house key?
*Note: When describing a house, it’s common to use the number of bedrooms and bathrooms in the description. A full bathroom has a toilet, a sink, and a bathtub with a shower. A three-quarter bathroom has a toilet, a sink, and a shower; a half bathroom consists of a toilet and a sink.
Essential English Dictionary
Visit the Popular English Words Beginning with H page to see the list of all words starting with letter H. For seeing the HiCafe dictionary, visit the Popular English Words with Meaning page.
