household word: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal to semi-formal; journalistic; idiomatic.
Quick answer
What does “household word” mean?
A name or phrase known by almost everyone in a society.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A name or phrase known by almost everyone in a society.
Something that has become extremely familiar through widespread use, publicity, or cultural saturation; often used for brands, celebrities, or concepts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. 'Household name' is a more common variant in both dialects, but 'household word' is perfectly understood.
Connotations
Slightly more formal/literary than 'household name'. In modern journalism, 'name' is more frequent.
Frequency
'Household name' is significantly more common in contemporary usage in both regions. 'Household word' retains a classic, established feel.
Grammar
How to Use “household word” in a Sentence
[Subject] became a household word.[Subject] is a household word in [country/field].It turned [object] into a household word.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “household word” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The campaign successfully household-worded the product.
American English
- The ad agency aimed to household-word the new app.
adverb
British English
- The phrase is known household-wordly.
American English
- The product is recognised household-wordly.
adjective
British English
- He achieved a household-word status.
American English
- It was a household-word brand.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in marketing and branding to describe the ultimate goal of product recognition, e.g., 'We aim to make our brand a household word.'
Academic
Rare in formal academic writing, but may appear in media studies, sociology, or cultural criticism discussing fame and popular culture.
Everyday
Used in conversation to emphasize how famous or familiar something is, e.g., 'That singer is a household word now.'
Technical
Not a technical term in any specific field.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “household word”
Strong
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “household word”
- Using it in the plural (*household words*).
- Using it to describe something negative or infamous (e.g., a scandal).
- Confusing it with 'buzzword' (which is trendy, not necessarily universally known).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Household name' is more common in modern usage, especially for people and brands. 'Household word' can refer to any phrase or term and sounds slightly more formal or literary.
It is strongly associated with positive or neutral fame. Using it for something infamous (like a scandal) is unusual and would likely be ironic.
No, the standard, idiomatic form is the singular 'household word' (or 'name'), even when referring to multiple entities. You would say, 'Several brands are household words' is non-standard; rephrase to '...are household names'.
It most commonly follows the verb 'be' (is/was/will be) or 'become' as a predicate noun, following the structure: '[Subject] is/became a household word.'
A name or phrase known by almost everyone in a society.
Household word is usually formal to semi-formal; journalistic; idiomatic. in register.
Household word: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhaʊs.həʊld ˈwɜːd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhaʊs.hoʊld ˈwɜːrd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a household word/name”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine the **word** being spoken in every **household** in the country.
Conceptual Metaphor
FAMILIARITY IS PROXIMITY (the word 'lives' in every home). / FAME IS UBIQUITY (the word is everywhere).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST appropriate context for 'household word'?