guesthouse: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral, used in both formal (tourism industry) and informal contexts.
Quick answer
What does “guesthouse” mean?
A private house offering accommodation to paying visitors, typically smaller and more personal than a hotel, often with breakfast included.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A private house offering accommodation to paying visitors, typically smaller and more personal than a hotel, often with breakfast included.
1) A building separate from the main house on a property, used to accommodate guests. 2) In hospitality, a category of tourist accommodation characterized by owner-managed, small-scale, and often homely service.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the term. In the US, 'inn' or 'bed and breakfast (B&B)' are more common near-synonyms. 'Guesthouse' in the UK often specifically implies a meal plan (e.g., half-board).
Connotations
UK: Often implies a degree of informality, personal service, and a homely atmosphere, possibly in a seaside or countryside location. US: Can sound slightly old-fashioned or quaint; 'B&B' or 'inn' often carry stronger positive connotations of charm.
Frequency
More frequent in UK English; common in tourist literature and everyday travel planning.
Grammar
How to Use “guesthouse” in a Sentence
[Verb] a guesthouse: run, manage, own, stay at/in, book.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “guesthouse” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They decided to guesthouse their spare cottage for extra income.
- The family has been guesthousing for over twenty years.
American English
- She plans to guesthouse the property after retiring.
- Few regulations govern guesthousing in this county.
adjective
British English
- The guesthouse experience was wonderfully personal.
- We admired the guesthouse architecture in the coastal town.
American English
- They offer a guesthouse-style stay on their ranch.
- The guesthouse sector is growing in the region.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in tourism marketing, hospitality management, and travel insurance documents.
Academic
Appears in tourism studies, sociology of travel, and heritage management literature.
Everyday
Common in travel planning, holiday conversations, and recommendations.
Technical
A defined category in official tourism accommodation grading schemes (e.g., star ratings for guesthouses).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “guesthouse”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “guesthouse”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “guesthouse”
- Spelling as two separate words ('guest house') – while historically correct, the single word form is now standard. Using it interchangeably with 'hostel' (which is typically budget-oriented with dormitory rooms).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The terms often overlap, but a B&B is typically a room within the host's own occupied home, while a guesthouse is usually a separate building dedicated solely to paying guests. A guesthouse may also offer more rooms and sometimes an evening meal.
In modern English, it is standardly written as one word: 'guesthouse'. The hyphenated form 'guest-house' is now rare.
Breakfast is almost always included. Some guesthouses, especially in the UK, may offer 'half-board' (breakfast and dinner) as an option, but it's not a defining requirement.
While guesthouses are typically independent and owner-managed, there are small, boutique chains that use the 'guesthouse' label to emphasise a personal, non-corporate style of service.
A private house offering accommodation to paying visitors, typically smaller and more personal than a hotel, often with breakfast included.
Guesthouse is usually neutral, used in both formal (tourism industry) and informal contexts. in register.
Guesthouse: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡesthaʊs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡestˌhaʊs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly associated.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A house for guests who pay. It's a HOUSE where GUESTS stay, not a hotel.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMERCIAL HOSPITALITY IS DOMESTIC HOSPITALITY (The professional service is framed as an extension of welcoming someone into a private home).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is LEAST likely to be a characteristic of a typical guesthouse?