housekeeper

[hous-kee-per]

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

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• housekeeperlike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of housekeeper¹

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

Example Sentences

With their day’s letter to Lumawoo still clutched in Alexander’s hand, the Incorrigibles marched upstairs to knock on the good housekeeper’s door.

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The approaching rhythmic jingle-jingle-jingle of a great ring of keys banging against ample hips confirmed it: It was Mrs. Clarke, the head housekeeper of Ashton Place, chugging toward them at a slow but steady speed.

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The children had apologized, but clearly they also felt that an injustice had been done, for why should they be scolded for playing matador when the housekeeper was not?

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White women hired Colored women as housekeepers and domestics.

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But during a quiet aside, Minka ominously mentions to Liz that a chocolate cake made by the housekeeper tastes terrible, the observation sounding more like a warning than a culinary assessment.

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Related Words

• caretaker 
• chambermaid 
• housemaid 
• housewife 
• maid 
• servant