WordGarden.iohouseful
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /hˈaʊsfəl/
US
- /ˈhaʊsfəl/
Meanings
Noun
as many people or things as a house can hold
an audience large enough to fill a theatre
Beyond the definition
Imagine your grandmother's house during the holidays: laughter from every room, cousins everywhere, and no quiet corner left. That is a houseful. It means as many people or things as a house can hold. You might say, "We had a houseful of relatives for the weekend," to show that the place was very full and busy. It is most often used for people or guests, though it can also be used for things inside a house.
A "houseful" means as many people or things as a house can hold. The word is usually used as a noun in phrases like "a houseful of guests" or "a houseful of children." It paints a clear picture of a place that feels full, busy, and hard to keep quiet. Think of a family reunion, a holiday visit, or a weekend when every bed and sofa is taken.
The word does not have to be positive, but it often appears in warm, everyday scenes. Someone might apologize by saying, "Sorry for the mess, we've had a houseful all week," or explain, "The kids grew up in a houseful of brothers and sisters." In both cases, the idea is the same: the house is filled with people, and there is not much extra room.
Less often, it can also refer to things rather than people, as in "a houseful of old furniture." Even then, the core meaning stays simple: enough to fill the house. In everyday English, though, it is most natural when talking about guests, family members, or other groups of people living in or staying in the same home.
Examples
- 1
Guests
We’re expecting a houseful of guests tonight.
- 2
Family visits
During the summer holidays, they had a houseful of grandchildren.
- 3
Already full
I can’t invite anyone else this weekend because we’ve already got a houseful.
- Phrasehave got a houseful
already have many people staying or visiting in the house
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- housefulnoun