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“House” or “How's” or “Hows”

house / how's / hows are similar-sounding terms with different meanings (referred to as homophones). To better understand the differences, see below for definitions, pronunciation guides, and example sentences using each term.

Definitions

What each term means

Same sound, different spellings and meanings, shown with a pronunciation guide for each term.

house hh·AW·s

  • nouna dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families.
  • nounthe members of a religious community living together.
  • nounthe audience gathered together in a theatre or cinema.
  • nounan official assembly having legislative powers.
  • nounaristocratic family line.
  • nounplay in which children take the roles of father or mother or children and pretend to interact like adults.
  • nounthe management of a gambling house or casino.
  • nouna building in which something is sheltered or located.
  • verbcontain or cover.
  • verbprovide housing for.

how's hh·AW·z

No dictionary entry for this spelling — see the usage examples below for how it shows up in writing.

hows

No dictionary entry for this spelling — see the usage examples below for how it shows up in writing.

Usage

Examples in context

Real sentences for each spelling. Hover an example to copy it.

“house”

  • then storms out of the house.
  • Ballymena's first market house (on the site of the
  • he lived and had his house in his area.
  • an independent software and system house being able to offer services
  • known as "Baby of the House".
  • enters Korea's sole traditional gisaeng house, an exclusive establishment that serves
  • They stormed the Market House (now the Town Hall), killing
  • part of the community, Zacchaues House continues to function today.
  • Rakestraw House, a historic home located near
  • kicks him out of the house, saying that he's wasted the

“how's”

  • How's Your Mother-in-Law?
  • Marys & Ten How's Your Fathers
  • tracks not previously released on albums.

“hows”

  • How's Your Mother-in-Law?
  • Marys & Ten How's Your Fathers
  • tracks not previously released on albums.

Examples are Wikipedia snippets under the CC ShareAlike 3.0 license. Definitions are drawn from WordNet.

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