full house

USAGE SUMMARY

"full house" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
In card games, it is used to refer to a hand containing three of a kind and a pair. For example, "He won the round with a full house - three kings and two aces."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

"Full house.

The New Yorker

The full house responded enthusiastically.

The New York Times - Arts

They have a full house.

The New Yorker

It was a full house.

The New Yorker

A full house.

The Guardian - Sport

It's a full house.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Full-house audience.

Vice

It'd be the "Over-Full House".

Huffington Post

Henry's Full House, Howard Hawkss, 20 minutes.

The New York Times

VIDEO: Jennifer Lawrence talks 'Full House' crush.

Los Angeles Times

You got the 'Full House' pilot.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In poker, be precise: state "a full house, [three of a kind] and [pair]" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "full house" interchangeably with other poker hands like a flush or straight. A "full house" specifically requires three cards of one rank and two of another.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "full house" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It denotes either a specific hand in poker consisting of three of a kind and a pair, or a situation where a venue is filled to its maximum capacity, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "full house" is a versatile term with two primary meanings: a poker hand and a description of a completely filled venue. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts. As a noun phrase, it effectively conveys a state of completion or maximum occupancy. While its register is generally neutral, it leans towards informal. Be mindful of the context to avoid confusion between its poker-related and general-occupancy meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

House full

Simply states the house is full.

Packed house

Indicates a venue filled to capacity; focuses on the physical fullness of a place.

At capacity

Directly states that the maximum limit has been reached.

Sold out

Emphasizes that all available tickets or spaces have been taken.

Jam-packed

Conveys a sense of being tightly filled or crowded.

Standing room only

Highlights that even standing space is occupied, indicating extreme fullness.

Wall-to-wall

Describes a space completely filled with people or items, often emphasizing density.

Brimming with people

Focuses on the abundance of people present.

Complete set

Refers to having all the required or available items, especially in card games or other collections.

SRO

Abbreviation of standing room only

FAQs

How to use "full house" in a sentence?

You can use "full house" to describe a place that is completely filled with people, such as "The theater had a "packed house"" or to describe a poker hand, such as "He won the game with a "house full" of kings and queens".

What can I say instead of "full house" when referring to a crowded place?

Alternatives include "packed house", "sold out", "standing room only", or "at capacity" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "full house" or "the house is full"?

Both "full house" and "the house is full" are correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Full house" is more idiomatic and implies a lively, successful event, while "the house is full" is a more literal and neutral statement.

What's the difference between "full house" and "complete set"?

While both can refer to having everything needed, "full house" typically describes a venue filled to capacity or a specific poker hand. "Complete set" is more general and refers to having all the required items for a collection or task. You might say "The stadium was a "packed house"" or "I have a "complete set" of trading cards".