house manager: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2formal, professional
Quick answer
What does “house manager” mean?
A person responsible for the administration, smooth running, and oversight of a building or household, especially one where multiple people live or work.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person responsible for the administration, smooth running, and oversight of a building or household, especially one where multiple people live or work.
In theatre, the person responsible for the physical running of the theatre building during a production, including safety, audience management, and backstage operations.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'house manager' is more commonly used for institutional/residential settings (e.g., student halls, care homes). In American English, it's frequently used in the theatrical context (theatre house manager). The domestic sense exists in both but is less frequent.
Connotations
UK: More administrative, residential care, or hospitality-focused. US: Strongly associated with theatre/performance venues.
Frequency
Low-frequency compound noun. More common in professional/job title contexts than everyday conversation.
Grammar
How to Use “house manager” in a Sentence
House manager of [place/institution]House manager for [organisation/group]House manager at [venue]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “house manager” 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
- [Not applicable as a standard adjective]
American English
- [Not applicable as a standard adjective]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Job title in hospitality or residential property management.
Academic
Used in theatre studies or hospitality management courses.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation; used when discussing specific jobs or roles.
Technical
A defined role in theatre production hierarchies and some social care frameworks.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “house manager”
- Using 'house manager' for a hotel manager (use 'hotel manager').
- Omitting the space: 'housemanager' (incorrect).
- Confusing with 'stage manager' (theatre role focused backstage, not front-of-house).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A butler is a domestic servant in a private house, focusing on service, silver, and wine. A house manager is a more administrative, modern role, often salaried and not necessarily servile, found in institutional or theatrical settings.
No, 'house manager' is exclusively a compound noun. You cannot 'house manage' something. You 'manage a house' or 'work as a house manager'.
A 'property manager' typically handles multiple properties or commercial real estate from an external office. A 'house manager' is usually dedicated to a single residential building or institution and may live on-site.
It depends on the sector. Theatre house managers often have arts administration training. For residential settings, experience in hospitality, facilities management, or social care is typically valued over specific degrees.
A person responsible for the administration, smooth running, and oversight of a building or household, especially one where multiple people live or work.
House manager is usually formal, professional in register.
House manager: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhaʊs ˌmæn.ɪ.dʒə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhaʊs ˌmæn.ə.dʒɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this specific compound]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: MANAGER of a HOUSE. Combines the place (house) with the role (manager).
Conceptual Metaphor
THE HOUSE IS A BUSINESS (with the manager ensuring its operation).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'house manager' MOST commonly used in American English?