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Synonyms

housekeeper

American  
[hous-kee-per] / ˈhaʊsˌki pər /

noun

  1. a person, often hired, who does or directs the domestic work and planning necessary for a home, as cleaning or buying food.

  2. an employee of a hotel, hospital, etc., who supervises the cleaning staff.


housekeeper British  
/ ˈhaʊsˌkiːpə /

noun

  1. a person, esp a woman, employed to run a household

  2. a person who is not an efficient and thrifty domestic manager

  3. a person who is an efficient and thrifty domestic manager

"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

Other Word Forms

  • housekeeperlike adjective

Etymology

Origin of housekeeper

First recorded in 1375–1425, housekeeper is from the late Middle English word houskeper. See house, keeper

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A collection of items from English crime author Agatha Christie's housekeeper are set to make more than £1,000 at auction.

From BBC

Comparisons have been made with various TV characters, including Mrs Doubtfire - the beloved fictional housekeeper in the comedy film of the same name, played by the late Robin Williams.

From BBC

He quickly checks the blackout curtains that Viola, our housekeeper, installed.

From Literature

Jurors were told she lived some of the time in the UK where she was provided with a housekeeper, nanny, gardener and window cleaner.

From BBC

“So people know my name, and that I work here. As a housekeeper.”

From Literature