houses crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Crosswordanswer.co.uk! If you're tackling the clue "houses" in your crossword puzzle, you've come to the right place. We've compiled a comprehensive list of possible answers, along with explanations, to help you complete your puzzle quickly and accurately.
Solutions for "houses crossword clue" by Letter Count
5 Letters
HOMES: Common synonym for residential buildings where people live.
6 Letters
ABODES: A place where one lives; a dwelling.
LODGES: Can mean to provide temporary accommodation or to reside.
8 Letters
CONTAINS: To have or hold something within, as in "the box houses the tools."
9 Letters
DWELLINGS: Places of residence, a house or apartment.
More About "houses crossword clue"
The clue 'houses' in a crossword puzzle can be surprisingly versatile, offering multiple avenues for interpretation depending on the context of the puzzle. Most commonly, it refers to residential buildings or dwellings, leading to answers like HOMES, ABODES, or DWELLINGS. These are often straightforward synonyms, making them good starting points when you encounter this clue.
However, 'houses' can also function as a verb, meaning 'to contain' or 'to provide shelter for.' In this sense, answers like CONTAINS, HOLDS, or SHELTERS become relevant. The surrounding letters or other clues in the puzzle are crucial for determining which meaning is intended. Experienced solvers always consider both the noun and verb forms of a word like 'houses' to avoid getting stuck.
Furthermore, in certain British-style crosswords, 'houses' might subtly hint at specific political bodies like the Houses of Parliament, leading to answers such as COMMONS or LORDS. Always be prepared for linguistic tricks and multiple layers of meaning, which are hallmarks of well-crafted crossword clues.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Check for plural vs. singular: "houses" is plural, so your answer should likely be plural too (e.g., HOMES, not HOME).
- Consider verb tenses: If the clue implies action, look for verbs. If it implies a noun, look for things. "houses" can be both.
- Look at surrounding clues: Often, adjacent answers will share letters, providing crucial hints to the length or specific letters of "houses."
- Think about synonyms and antonyms: Brainstorm words that mean the same or opposite to "house" in its various contexts.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does "houses" have so many possible answers?
The word "houses" is rich in meaning, functioning both as a noun (plural of house) and a verb (to provide a home for, to contain). Crossword setters exploit these multiple definitions to create challenging yet fair clues.
How do I know if "houses" is a noun or a verb in a crossword?
Pay close attention to the word's part of speech in the clue, if implied. More importantly, look at the required letter count and any intersecting letters from other clues. These constraints often narrow down the possibilities significantly.
Are there any common crossword traps with "houses"?
A common trap is focusing only on the noun definition (buildings) when the setter intends the verb meaning (e.g., "contains"). Also, watch out for specific proper nouns related to "houses" (like Houses of Parliament) if the puzzle has a theme or specific origin (e.g., UK crosswords).