housebroken
Elementary (A2)
IPA: /ˈhaʊsˌbroʊkən/
KK: /ˈhaʊsˌbroʊkən/
adjective
Definition
Trained to behave properly indoors, especially regarding bathroom habits.
Example
The housebroken dog never makes a mess inside the house.
Conversation
I just adopted a puppy, and I'm so excited!
That's awesome! Is he housebroken?
Not yet, but I'm working on it every day.
I'm sure he'll get the hang of it soon!
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
trained
tamed
disciplined
Antonyms
wild
unruly
disobedient
verb
Definition
To be trained to go to the bathroom outside or in a designated area instead of inside the house.
Example
The puppy is finally housebroken and no longer has accidents indoors.
Tense Forms
Past: housebroke
Past Participle: housebroken
Conversation
Did you manage to get your puppy housebroken?
Yes, finally! It took a few weeks, but we did it.
That's great to hear! I remember when my dog was still learning to be housebroken.
Root Explanation
Housebroken → It is formed from "house" (from Old English *hus*, meaning a dwelling or shelter) and "broken" (from Old English *brocan*, meaning to break or to be trained). The term "housebroken" refers to an animal that has been trained to behave properly in a house, particularly regarding bathroom habits.
Memory Tip
Think of a 'house' as a place where someone lives and 'broken' as being trained or conditioned. This helps you remember that 'housebroken' means an animal trained to behave well in a home.
Visually Confused Words
No commonly confused words.