Is 'house call' used for non-medical services?

Yes, but it's less common and can sound formal or deliberately nostalgic (e.g., 'a tailor's house call'). 'Home visit' or 'on-site service' are more neutral alternatives.

What is the main difference between 'house call' and 'home visit'?

'House call' is strongly associated with medical/veterinary professionals. 'Home visit' is broader, used by social workers, teachers, salespeople, and healthcare workers, making it the more generic and contemporary term in UK medical contexts.

Can 'house call' be used as a verb?

Yes, but it is hyphenated ('to house-call') and is considered informal or jargonistic. It is more standard to say 'make a house call' or 'do a house call'.

Why has the frequency of house calls decreased?

Due to advances in medical technology (which is often non-portable), efficiency models favouring centralised clinics, the high cost of a professional's travel time, and the widespread availability of cars and ambulances for patients.

Is “house call” formal?

House call is usually formal to neutral in register.

How do you pronounce “house call”?

House call: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhaʊs ˌkɔːl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhaʊs ˌkɔːl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

house call: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

UK/ˈhaʊs ˌkɔːl/US/ˈhaʊs ˌkɔːl/

Formal to Neutral

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Quick answer

What does “house call” mean?

A visit to a patient's home by a doctor or other professional to provide treatment or service.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

A visit to a patient's home by a doctor or other professional to provide treatment or service.

A visit made by any professional to a client's home or place of residence to deliver a service (e.g., a repair, consultation, or sales visit).

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

Both use the term, but it is more prevalent in American English, especially in historical and insurance contexts. In the UK, 'home visit' is a more frequent and neutral synonym in medical contexts.

Connotations

In both varieties, it can connote a traditional, personalised service that is now less common due to modern centralised healthcare. In non-medical contexts, it can imply convenience for the client but a premium service.

Frequency

Less frequent in contemporary everyday language in both varieties, as the practice has declined. Still used in administrative, historical, and certain professional (e.g., veterinary) discussions.

Grammar

How to Use “house call” in a Sentence

The [PROFESSIONAL] made a house call to the [PATIENT/CLIENT].We need to [ARRANGE/REQUEST] a house call for the elderly patient.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

make a house calldoctor's house callveterinary house callemergency house call

medium

schedule a house callcharge for a house callrequest a house call

weak

quick house callregular house calllate-night house call

Examples

Examples of “house call” in a Sentence

verb

British English

The GP no longer house-calls in this parish.
They used to house-call for minor emergencies.

American English

The pediatrician agreed to house-call for the feverish infant.
Few vets house-call on weekends.

adjective

British English

The house-call fee is listed in the practice brochure.
We offer a house-call service for the elderly.

American English

Her house-call rate is higher than the office visit.
Is there a house-call option for this therapy?

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Used in service-based business models emphasising convenience (e.g., 'Our IT support includes house calls.').

Academic

Appears in historical studies of medicine, sociology of healthcare, and veterinary science literature.

Everyday

Used when discussing medical care for those who cannot easily travel, or for pet veterinary services.

Technical

A formal term in healthcare administration, insurance policy documents (cover for house calls), and veterinary practice management.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “house call”

Strong

home visit (med.)

Neutral

home visitdomiciliary visit

Weak

on-site visithome consultation

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “house call”

surgery visitoffice appointmentclinic consultationin-patient treatment

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “house call”

Using 'house call' for a social visit (Incorrect: 'I paid a house call to my friend.').
Confusing it with 'housewarming call' (which is social).
Using it as a verb without necessary syntax (Incorrect: 'He house called me.' Correct: 'He made a house call.')

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: Yes, but it's less common and can sound formal or deliberately nostalgic (e.g., 'a tailor's house call'). 'Home visit' or 'on-site service' are more neutral alternatives.
: 'House call' is strongly associated with medical/veterinary professionals. 'Home visit' is broader, used by social workers, teachers, salespeople, and healthcare workers, making it the more generic and contemporary term in UK medical contexts.
: Yes, but it is hyphenated ('to house-call') and is considered informal or jargonistic. It is more standard to say 'make a house call' or 'do a house call'.
: Due to advances in medical technology (which is often non-portable), efficiency models favouring centralised clinics, the high cost of a professional's travel time, and the widespread availability of cars and ambulances for patients.
: A visit to a patient's home by a doctor or other professional to provide treatment or service.
: House call is usually formal to neutral in register.
: House call: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhaʊs ˌkɔːl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhaʊs ˌkɔːl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Imagine a doctor's bag sitting on the front step of a HOUSE, waiting for the doctor to CALL.

Conceptual Metaphor

SERVICE IS A MOBILE ENTITY (the service travels to the recipient).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

In the past, it was common for a family physician to for a child with a high fever.

Multiple Choice

In which context is the term 'house call' LEAST likely to be used today?