# household

/ˈhaʊsˌhoʊɫd/ (US) · /hˈaʊshəʊld/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/household
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 2. home management

noun · CEFR B2

the work and organization needed to keep a home running.

For teachers: the collective tasks, management, and maintenance required to sustain a domestic establishment.

- She took over the management of the household after her father retired.
- The daily chores required to maintain a large Victorian household were often divided among several specialized staff members.

### 3. domestic or everyday

adjective · CEFR B1

relating to a house or the people living in it.

For teachers: pertaining to the home or family; relating to domestic life and maintenance.

- We need to buy some basic household items like soap and light bulbs.
- The survey focused on the rising cost of essential household goods and their impact on low-income families.

### 4. famous or familiar

adjective · CEFR B2

very well known by almost everyone.

For teachers: widely known to the general public; familiar to the point of being a common topic of conversation.

- The young singer became a household name after winning the talent show.
- Within six months of the product launch, the brand had become a household name across the entire continent.

Usage: Almost exclusively used in the fixed phrase 'household name'.

Teaching tip: Explain that this sense is nearly always paired with 'name' to describe a celebrity or a very famous brand.

## Examples

- Many households now have more than one car.
- The government survey collects data on average household income to determine how much families spend on energy bills.
- The shift toward smaller households has significant implications for urban planning, as the demand for single-occupancy apartments continues to outpace the construction of traditional family homes.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.