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.

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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

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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

Currently, Picnic’s mom is a private housekeeper, and she works in dozens of addresses across the county.

From Literature

And Madame Garnier, a housekeeper at the German-run maternity home, is working for the Resistance.

From The Wall Street Journal

The housekeeper must have come this afternoon, polished the wooden furniture with lemon, and wiped the windows with vinegar.

From Literature

Margaret O’Brien’s miniature “juvenile” Oscar for “Meet Me in St. Louis” was taken by a housekeeper who offered to polish it but never returned.

From Los Angeles Times

Unlike my friends, I have never had a housekeeper or landscaper.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

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