open house

noun

1

: ready and usually informal hospitality or entertainment for all comers

2

: a house or apartment open for inspection especially by prospective buyers or tenants

Examples of open house in a Sentence

Westside High School will host an open house from 3 to 7 p.m. today, and all parents are invited to attend.

colleges holding open houses for prospective students

We held an open house last week in the hopes that someone would offer to buy our house.

They kept open house, and in the evenings neighbors would stop by to talk or play music.

They always kept an open house for visitors.

Recent Examples on the Web

Local officials are soliciting ideas through an online survey, open house and mailers. —Sydney Franklin, The Enquirer, 29 July 2025

All ages are welcome to attend the open house, including children accompanied by parents. —Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 27 July 2025

Several open houses will be held beginning July 27, with the auction set for Monday, Aug. 4, at 11 a.m. at the Seattle Tennis Club. —Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 21 July 2025

This stage often involves partnering with a real estate agent, attending open houses and narrowing down your top choices. —Allison Palmer july 7, Miami Herald, 7 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for open house

• boardinghouse
• charterhouse
• clearinghouse
• coffeehouse
• customhouse
• firehouse
• meetinghouse
• motherhouse
• packinghouse
• pilothouse
• powerhouse
• slaughterhouse

Kids Definition

open house

noun

: usually informal hospitality or entertainment for all comers