household - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
household Word Meanings
- a domestic unit of people living together
- the people in a home or residence
- related to home life and family.
household Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
household Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈhaʊshəʊld/
US
/ˈhaʊshoʊld/
household Word Etymology
Household = house (dwell) + hold (to contain). Origin: Old English hūs + Old English haldan. Memory image: Imagine a house that holds a family together, a warm circle of people sharing lives and memories.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I push the kitchen door with my shoulder and set the grocery bag on the counter, as voices in the living room rise and fall like a single rhythm. I shift the calendar on the wall, adjust who does what, and feel the little system of chores re-form under my hands. The effort to keep the pace, to hold back a sigh, and to make small changes makes the day feel connected. In that moment, the idea of a household—people who share one roof—starts to feel real, not an abstract label but a lived routine.
Real Context
Household refers to the people who live together in a single dwelling, forming a domestic unit. It also describes the sphere of everyday life connected to those people, including routines, finances, chores, and relationships. You’ll often hear phrases like household income, household chores, or household name in English. The term emphasizes the group aspect—the people sharing a home and daily life—not just a single person. In census data and demographic discussions, a household can include two roommates or a family with children, as long as they share living quarters and responsibilities. Think of a household as the circle that makes a house a home.
Usage Reminders
- Use household to refer to the people living together in one home.
- Pair with phrases like household income or household chores.
- Treat the word as a singular unit, even if there are several people.
- Don't confuse it with 'home' or 'house' alone.
- In census data, a household can be two roommates or a family with children.
Common Misconceptions
- Household means every family member only; it does not include non-relatives living together.
- Household always refers to a family, not roommates or housemates.
- Confusing household with home or house; it is about the people, not the building.
- Using household as plural ('households') incorrectly when talking about one unit.
- For income or chores, 'household' refers to the group, not a single person.
Thinking Differences
English frames household as a living-group unit tied to a dwelling; learners worry about whether to stress the people or the building and often default to 'family' instead of 'household'.
Learning Tips
- Learn the main collocations: household income, household chores, household name.
- Practice with census examples to see how households are counted.
- Distinguish between household (group) and home/house (building).
- Use singular verbs for one household unit, even with several people.
- Compare with family words to see the difference in scope.
- Create a mini-dictionary of phrases that pair with household.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the best definition of 'household'?
A.A business that sells products to customers
B.A group of people who live together in the same home and share living arrangements
C.A type of small, hand-held appliance used for cleaning
D.An outdoor area where animals are kept
Step 2: Usage
Which sentence uses 'household' correctly?
A.She bought a new household for her kitchen counter.
B.They reduced their household expenses by cutting back on dining out.
C.The volunteers household the donations to the local shelter.
D.This factory makes household for industrial use.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is most similar in meaning to 'household'?
A.family
B.business
C.apartment
D.tool
Step 4: Opposite Words
Which word is most opposite in meaning to 'household'?
A.community
B.family
C.individual
D.domestic
Step 5: Mastery
Which prompt describes a real-life context where you would naturally use the word 'household' when speaking?
A.Describe a public park where strangers gather for events.
B.Can you give an example of a situation where people living together in one home share expenses and chores?
C.Think of an office team that collaborates on projects during work hours.
D.Describe a factory assembly line that produces goods for export.
Related Listening
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