Playhouse: meaning, definitions and examples

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playhouse

[ˈpleɪˌhaʊs ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

children's entertainment

A playhouse is a small house or other building that children play in, especially one that is not real and is used as a toy.

Synonyms

dollhouse, toy house.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
playhouse	Commonly used to refer to a small structure where children can play, often resembling a miniature house. It can also be used to describe a children's theater. The kids spent the entire afternoon in their new playhouse This summer, the local playhouse is putting on a production of 'Peter Pan'
dollhouse	Specifically refers to a miniature house intended for dolls. It is often used in the context of children's toys or hobbyist activities. She decorated every room in her dollhouse with tiny furniture As a child, she spent hours arranging the dolls in her dollhouse
toy house	A broad term that refers to any small structure toy, which could include both playhouses and dollhouses. It's often used more generically. They bought a toy house that came with miniature figures and furniture The shop sells various toy houses for kids of all ages

Word

Description / Examples

playhouse

Commonly used to refer to a small structure where children can play, often resembling a miniature house. It can also be used to describe a children's theater.

The kids spent the entire afternoon in their new playhouse
This summer, the local playhouse is putting on a production of 'Peter Pan'

dollhouse

Specifically refers to a miniature house intended for dolls. It is often used in the context of children's toys or hobbyist activities.

She decorated every room in her dollhouse with tiny furniture
As a child, she spent hours arranging the dolls in her dollhouse

toy house

A broad term that refers to any small structure toy, which could include both playhouses and dollhouses. It's often used more generically.

They bought a toy house that came with miniature figures and furniture
The shop sells various toy houses for kids of all ages

Examples of usage

The kids spent hours playing in the playhouse in the backyard.
My daughter's favorite toy is her playhouse.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

theater

A playhouse is a theater or other building where plays are performed.

Synonyms

theater, theatre.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
playhouse	Also refers to a small, typically outdoor structure for children to play in, resembling a miniature house. The kids spent all afternoon in the playhouse, imagining they were pirates on a ship. They built a new playhouse in their backyard for the children.
theater	Commonly used in American English to refer to a place where movies are shown or live performances are held. We went to the theater to see the latest blockbuster movie. Her dream is to perform on a Broadway theater stage one day.
theatre	Predominantly used in British English, this term also refers to a place where movies or live performances are shown, but it can additionally carry a more classical or traditional connotation. They visited the Royal Shakespeare Theatre during their trip to England. Theatre enthusiasts often debate the merits of various productions.

Word

Description / Examples

playhouse

Also refers to a small, typically outdoor structure for children to play in, resembling a miniature house.

The kids spent all afternoon in the playhouse, imagining they were pirates on a ship.
They built a new playhouse in their backyard for the children.

theater

Commonly used in American English to refer to a place where movies are shown or live performances are held.

We went to the theater to see the latest blockbuster movie.
Her dream is to perform on a Broadway theater stage one day.

theatre

Predominantly used in British English, this term also refers to a place where movies or live performances are shown, but it can additionally carry a more classical or traditional connotation.

They visited the Royal Shakespeare Theatre during their trip to England.
Theatre enthusiasts often debate the merits of various productions.

Examples of usage

The local playhouse is known for its excellent productions.
We went to see a musical at the playhouse downtown.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

The concept of playhouses dates back to the 17th century in Europe, where children used small structures to play acted scenes.
In ancient Rome, children had makeshift playhouses in their gardens, showing how the desire for imaginative play spans cultures and time.

Cultural Significance

In many cultures, playhouses serve as a vital space for children to express creativity, acting as safe zones for exploration.
The popularity of playhouses in today’s society emphasizes the importance of play in child development.

Education

Educational experts emphasize that playhouses aid in developing social skills, as children interact and role-play various scenarios.
Using playhouses in classrooms can enhance learning by incorporating drama and imagination into lessons.

Architecture

Modern playhouses often feature designs that mimic real homes, complete with furniture and decorations, to enhance the play experience.
Some playhouses are creatively designed to double as outdoor garden sheds, mixing fun with utility.

Art and Entertainment

Puppetry and small-scale theater performances often utilize miniature playhouses as props for storytelling.
The tradition of building sets in children's theater draws from the nostalgia of playhouses, fostering both theater skills and imaginative play.

Translations

Translations of the word "playhouse" in other languages:

🇵🇹 casa de brinquedos

🇮🇳 खेल का घर

🇩🇪 Spielhaus

🇮🇩 rumah bermain

🇺🇦 ігровий будиночок

🇵🇱 dom zabaw

🇯🇵 遊び家 (あそびいえ)

🇫🇷 maison de jeu

🇪🇸 casa de juegos

🇹🇷 oyun evi

🇰🇷 놀이집 (nolijip)

🇸🇦 بيت اللعب

🇨🇿 domeček na hraní

🇸🇰 domček na hranie

🇨🇳 玩具屋 (wánjù wū)

🇸🇮 hiša za igranje

🇮🇸 leikfangahús

🇰🇿 ойын үйі

🇬🇪 სათამაშო სახლი

🇦🇿 oyuncaq evi

🇲🇽 casa de juego