housewarming: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Informal, social
Quick answer
What does “housewarming” mean?
A party held when someone moves into a new home, to celebrate the occasion and often to symbolically bring warmth and good fortune to the new dwelling.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A party held when someone moves into a new home, to celebrate the occasion and often to symbolically bring warmth and good fortune to the new dwelling.
Figuratively, any event marking the beginning of a new phase or establishment in a new location.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical in meaning and frequency. The compound spelling as one word ('housewarming') is standard in both.
Connotations
Equally positive and social in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common.
Grammar
How to Use “housewarming” in a Sentence
have a housewarmingthrow a housewarminginvite someone to a housewarmingattend a housewarmingVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially used metaphorically for an opening event for new office premises.
Academic
Very rare outside sociological studies of social rituals.
Everyday
The primary context. Used in social planning and invitations.
Technical
Not applicable.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “housewarming”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “housewarming”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “housewarming”
- Using 'housewarming' as a verb (e.g., 'We will housewarming next week').
- Spelling as two separate words: 'house warming'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is one word: 'housewarming'.
Yes, it is customary, though not obligatory. Gifts often relate to the home (e.g., a plant, kitchenware, a bottle of wine).
Primarily for homes (houses, flats/apartments). It can be extended humorously or metaphorically to other spaces like a new office or studio.
A housewarming is a secular social party. A house blessing is a religious or spiritual ceremony to dedicate a home, often performed by a clergy member.
A party held when someone moves into a new home, to celebrate the occasion and often to symbolically bring warmth and good fortune to the new dwelling.
Housewarming is usually informal, social in register.
Housewarming: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhaʊsˌwɔː.mɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhaʊsˌwɔːr.mɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine bringing WARMTH (friends, laughter, gifts) to a new HOUSE.
Conceptual Metaphor
A NEW BEGINNING IS WARMTH / A COMMUNITY IS WARMTH.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is LEAST likely to be associated with a housewarming?