housewife

[hous-wahyf, huhz-if]

noun

plural

housewives 

1. Sometimes Offensive.,  a married woman who manages her own household, especially as her principal occupation.

2. British.,  a sewing box; a small case or box for needles, thread, etc.

verb (used with or without object)

housewifed, housewifing 

1. Archaic.,  to manage with efficiency and economy, as a household.

housewife

/ ˈhaʊsˌwɪfərɪ, -ˌwɪfrɪ, ˈhaʊsˌwaɪf /

noun

1. a woman, typically a married woman, who keeps house, usually without having paid employment

2. Also called: hussy.  huswife. a small sewing kit issued to soldiers

Sensitive Note

Most people, married or unmarried, find the term housewife perfectly acceptable. But it is sometimes perceived as insulting, perhaps because it implies a lowly status (“She’s just a housewife”) or because it defines an occupation in terms of a woman's relation to a man. Homemaker is a fairly common substitute.

Other Word Forms

• housewifery noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of housewife¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English hus(e)wif; house, wife

Example Sentences

She was described as an average housewife and mother whose conversion to radical politics seemed an unlikely twist.

From Los Angeles Times

She portrayed herself as a housewife who believed a woman’s “most important ministry” is the home.

From Salon

Before stepping in front of the cameras, the London housewives sought advice from women who had previously been in their positions.

From BBC

He has called on women to forgo education and careers so they can instead focus on being submissive housewives.

From Salon

“Crazy Mama,” about a housewife intent on exacting vengeance on the men who murdered her husband, highlighted Demme’s desire to recognize women’s ongoing struggles against a patriarchal world.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• homemaker