house guest: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
HighInformal to neutral, widely used in everyday speech and writing.
Quick answer
What does “house guest” mean?
A person who stays for a short period at another person's home, often for leisure or as a visitor.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who stays for a short period at another person's home, often for leisure or as a visitor.
More broadly, it can refer to someone temporarily using or occupying a host's private space, implying a relationship of hospitality and personal invitation. In extended metaphors, it may describe something unwanted or persistent that has taken up residence (e.g., 'anxiety was an unwelcome house guest').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Compound spelling 'houseguest' is common in American English, while 'house guest' (two words) is standard in British English, though both forms are understood everywhere.
Connotations
Largely identical connotations of hospitality and temporary stay. Perhaps slightly more formal when written as two words in British usage.
Frequency
Equally common in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “house guest” in a Sentence
[Person/Subject] have/has a house guest.[Person] is staying as a house guest with [Host].We are hosting a house guest for the week.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “house guest” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not applicable as a verb.
American English
- Not applicable as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
American English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- We followed standard house-guest etiquette.
- The house-guest room was ready.
American English
- She brought a houseguest gift.
- We need more houseguest towels.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Could appear in informal business travel contexts, e.g., 'He was a house guest of the CEO during the conference.'
Academic
Very rare, except in sociological/anthropological studies of hospitality.
Everyday
Very common. The primary context.
Technical
Not applicable.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “house guest”
- Using 'houseguest' in formal British writing (use 'house guest').
- Confusing with 'housemate' or 'flatmate' (which implies co-residency).
- Using it for someone staying in a hotel (they are a hotel guest).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In British English, it is standard as two words: 'house guest'. In American English, the one-word compound 'houseguest' is very common and accepted. Both are understood globally.
A house guest is invited socially, stays temporarily (days/weeks), and does not typically pay rent. A tenant has a legal or financial agreement (lease) for longer-term residence and pays rent.
No. A hotel guest is specifically staying in commercial accommodation. 'House guest' implies a private home and a personal relationship with the host.
There's no strict rule, but the term strongly implies a short-term stay (e.g., a few days to a few weeks). If someone stays for many months, they might start being described as 'living with' the host or being a 'long-term guest'.
A person who stays for a short period at another person's home, often for leisure or as a visitor.
House guest is usually informal to neutral, widely used in everyday speech and writing. in register.
House guest: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhaʊs ˌɡest/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhaʊs ˌɡest/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “House guests, like fish, begin to smell after three days.”
- “An unwelcome house guest.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A guest who is in your HOUSE. It's a literal compound of the two words.
Conceptual Metaphor
VISITORS ARE TEMPORARY INHABITANTS; HOSPITALITY IS SHELTERING.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST accurate description of a typical house guest?