"House" and "Home" | Britannica Dictionary (2024)

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The word house is used to talk about a building made for people or a family to live in. The word home is used to talk about the family living in a house, or the familiar space inside a person's house, or the place someone was born or lived as a child.

When you want to talk about the place or the building itself, use house:

  • My house is the blue one on Main Street.
  • I own a house in Florida.
  • He wants to buy a house next year.
  • There are only three houses on her street.
  • Their house was damaged during the storm.

Use home when you want to talk about the familiar place a person or family lives,

  • He welcomed the visitors into his home with open arms.
  • The couple purchased insurance for their new home.
  • We were thrilled to finally have a home of our own.

the people living in a house,

  • They have a happy home.
  • The children come from a loving home.
  • Home is where the heart is.

or the place someone lived as a child:

  • She stays at her family's home for the holidays every year.
  • They drove past their childhood home when they were in town.
  • New York will always be home to us.

House is more general word for the building someone lives in. Home is more personal and involves the people and daily activities inside.

I hope this helps.

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