What is the difference between ‘harbour someone’ and ‘house someone’?

The two nouns, ‘house’ and ‘harbour’ can be used as verbs as well. When you ‘house’ someone or something, you are providing shelter to the person or thing.

*It’s not possible to house all your relatives in this small flat of ours.


Unlike ‘house’, the word ‘harbour’ when used as a verb has a negative connotation. When you harbour someone, you are performing an illegal act. You are providing shelter to someone who is wanted by the law. Fugitives and criminals are harboured.

*Harish didn’t know that he was harbouring a terrorist.