caretaker

[ kair-tey-ker ]

/ ˈkɛərˌteɪ kər /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR caretaker ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a person who is in charge of the maintenance of a building, estate, etc.; superintendent.

a person or group that temporarily performs the duties of an office.

British. a janitor.

a person who takes care of another.

adjective

involving the temporary performance of the duties of an office: a caretaker government.

Nearby words

Origin of caretaker

First recorded in 1855–60; care + taker

Related formscare·tak·ing, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for caretaker

Police say she fled to Florida and became a caretaker of an elderly man.
The Mystery Woman Who Tried to Outdo Dillinger|Michael Daly|September 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The film, however, makes Asher a pilot and Fiona a caretaker to the newborns—seemingly innocuous decisions that become meaningful.
Why 'The Giver' Movie Will Disappoint the Book's Fans|Kevin Fallon|August 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But Suthep is effectively a third political stakeholder—and he seems to be ruling out any caretaker role for Yingluck.
Thailand Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra Dissolves Parliament, Calls for Elections|Lennox Samuels|December 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Yingluck says her administration will remain in power as a caretaker government.
Thailand Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra Dissolves Parliament, Calls for Elections|Lennox Samuels|December 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Hamdallah is now caretaker prime minister—and “caretaker” seems like an appropriate term for his position.
As Peace Talks Progress, Palestinian Authority’s Popularity Plummets|Maysoon Zayid|August 30, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Moreover, it was pleasantly warm, for the caretaker had made a fire in the furnace the day before.
Black Oxen|Gertrude Franklin Horn Atherton
There is only a caretaker in our house and Leila will be furious if I leave her all alone.
The Fighting Chance|Robert W. Chambers
He stopped for a moment, looked at the caretaker, looked back to us with a smile.
A Sheaf of Corn|Mary E. Mann
We understood by this that the caretaker was at his post, and we returned to shout the name of Heer Paasma.
The Chauffeur and the Chaperon|C. N. Williamson
Up far in these mountains lived a herd, or caretaker and gamekeeper, all in one, named Frank Finnerty.
The Tithe-Proctor|William Carleton

British Dictionary definitions for caretaker

caretaker

/ (ˈkɛəˌteɪkə) /

noun

a person who is in charge of a place or thing, esp in the owner's absencethe caretaker of a school

(modifier) holding office temporarily; interima caretaker government

social welfare a person who takes care of a vulnerable person, often a close relativeSee also carer

Derived Formscaretaking, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

caretaker

noun

adjective

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Nearby words

Origin of caretaker

Examples from the Web for caretaker

caretaker

noun