household

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'household' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the people who live together in a house, such as a family, or to the house itself. For example, you could say "The members of the household all gathered in the living room".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Average household income in Wales is 14% below England and 9% below Scotland.

The Guardian - Opinion

"And perhaps most importantly, he has bragging rights in the Blair household – Cherie's Speaking for Myself sold 3,877 in its first week," he added.

The Guardian - Books

National Grid announced it was close to signing up three power stations to help fill the gap left by closures, breakdowns and delays, and said the cost to consumers of paying for extra capacity and for companies to adjust their consumption if necessary will be about £1 per household.

The Guardian - Business

However, it is understood that after BT won the rights to Champions League and the Europa League from ITV and Sky in an £897million deal, it has been looking for a household name to host them.

The Guardian - Sport

He unveiled a package of measures for the next three years to help boost growth, including investment in infrastructure projects and tax breaks for start-up companies, and help to get young people into work, as well as sweeteners to help families meet household bills.

The Guardian

With household costs still a big concern for many people, there's never been a better time to explore how this new technology can help people take control of their energy bills.

The Guardian

The wealthiest 10% of households in Britain own 44% of total household wealth, while the least wealthy half of households combined owned just 9%, according to the latest figures published by the Office for National Statistics ONSS).

The Guardian

Basically, it is the accrued value of all pensions that are not state basic retirement or state earning related The ONS then combine the above four categories to calculate household wealth.

The Guardian

It breaks household wealth down into four broad categories: Net property wealth: if owned, the value of a household's main residence including any other property such as second homes, holiday homes, land and buy-to-lets.

The Guardian

By adding together the household wealth of each household they are then able to provide an estimate of total household wealth in Britain.

The Guardian

The weekly magazine became a household name when two Islamist brothers gunned down 12 people at its offices.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about economic data, specify which definition of "household" you are using (e.g., single-person, family) as definitions can vary.

Common error

Avoid using "household" when you simply mean "house". "Household" implies a group of people living together, not just the building itself.

Linguistic Context

The word "household" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a group of people living together in a dwelling. It can also act as an adjective, describing something related to a home or its inhabitants. This is consistent with Ludwig AI's assessment and the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "household" is a common and versatile term referring to a group of people living together or relating to a home. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely applicable. As demonstrated by the examples, "household" often appears in discussions about economics, social trends, and domestic life. It's important to be mindful of the specific context when using "household", ensuring it accurately reflects the intended meaning, whether you're discussing income, chores, or living arrangements. Remember that while "household" can refer to a family, it's not limited to familial relationships.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

family unit

Focuses on the family aspect, emphasizing the group of people living together rather than the physical dwelling.

domestic sphere

Highlights the environment and activities within the home.

family dwelling

Emphasizes the residence where a family lives.

home environment

Focuses on the conditions and atmosphere within a residence.

residential unit

A more general term referring to a place of residence.

living quarters

Refers to the rooms or building where someone lives.

family residence

Highlights the family's place of living.

domestic establishment

A more formal term for a home and its management.

place of residence

A general term for where someone lives.

family setup

Emphasizes the structure and relationships within a family living together.

FAQs

How to use "household" in a sentence?

You can use "household" to describe the people living in a home, like "The entire household was asleep" or to describe something related to the home, as in "household chores".

What can I say instead of "household"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "family unit", "domestic sphere", or "family dwelling".

Which is correct, "household income" or "house income"?

"Household income" is correct when referring to the combined income of all people living in a single residence. "House income" is not a standard term.

What's the difference between "household" and "family"?

"Household" refers to all the people who live together in a dwelling, which may or may not be a family. "Family" specifically refers to a group of people related by blood, marriage, or adoption. A household may contain one or more families, or no family at all.