open house

American  

noun

1. a party or reception during which anyone who wishes may visit to share in a celebration, meet a special guest, etc.

2. a time during which a school, institution, etc., is open to the public for exhibition or for some specific occasion.

3. a house hospitably open to all friends who may wish to visit it.

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idioms

1. keep open house, to be prepared to entertain visitors at any time.

   They keep open house for artists and writers.

open house British  

noun

1. Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): open day.   at-home.  an occasion on which an institution, such as a school, is open for inspection by the public

2. to be always ready to provide hospitality

3. a house available for inspection by prospective buyers

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Etymology

Origin of open house

First recorded in 1520–30

Example Sentences

On his first day in the city, he stopped by an apartment open house in the Haight neighborhood.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 26, 2025

Getting into the holiday spirit: This year, local vintage store owners are collaborating on a special open house that aims to collect food and donations for needy families.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 6, 2025

Her open house is very different to a gallery experience.

From BBC • Dec. 5, 2025

That open house was pivotal in driving partnership agreements and started to fuel the franchise’s success, O’Connor said.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 21, 2025

“Sometimes you just have to find alternatives. And then it hit me today, while at the open house, at that table where you were taking pictures.”

From "Saints and Misfits" by S.K. Ali