caretaker

[ kair-tey-ker ]

noun

1. a person who is in charge of the maintenance of a building, estate, etc.; superintendent.
2. a person or group that temporarily performs the duties of an office.
3. British. a janitor.
4. a person who takes care of another.

adjective

1. involving the temporary performance of the duties of an office:

   a caretaker government.

caretaker

/ ˈkɛəˌteɪkə /

noun

1. a person who is in charge of a place or thing, esp in the owner's absence

   the caretaker of a school

2. modifier holding office temporarily; interim

   a caretaker government

3. See carer
   social welfare a person who takes care of a vulnerable person, often a close relative See also carer

Derived Forms

• ˈcareˌtaking, noun

Other Words From

• caretaking noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of caretaker¹

First recorded in 1855–60; care + take ( def ) + -er ¹( def )

Example Sentences

A cheerful convict was found dead by his devoted caretaker one morning.

From The Daily Beast

Police say she fled to Florida and became a caretaker of an elderly man.

From The Daily Beast

The film, however, makes Asher a pilot and Fiona a caretaker to the newborns—seemingly innocuous decisions that become meaningful.

From The Daily Beast

Crown became caretaker of the property when his uncle, who lived on the property, passed away in February.

From The Daily Beast

It is not clear what the whereabouts are of now ex-caretaker Prime Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan.

From The Daily Beast

The tenant acts as caretaker and apparently takes pride in keeping the place in order.

From Project Gutenberg

When a caretaker enters the house of one of the good neighbours, is she accompanied by her annoyances?

From Project Gutenberg

Does the caretaker lead a happy life in the house of one of the good neighbours?

From Project Gutenberg

The caretaker told me they call it the 'Cradle of Liberty,' here; and I don't wonder.

From Project Gutenberg

“Seems more cheerful like,” observed the caretaker, as the steady tick-tack began to sound through the quiet room.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• curator
• custodian
• janitor
• keeper
• sitter
• superintendent
• supervisor
• warden