housewife

American  

[hous-wahyf, huhz-if] / ˈhaʊsˌwaɪf, ˈhʌz ɪf /

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.

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verb (used with or without object)

housewifed, housewifing

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

housewife British  

/ 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

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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

Etymology

Origin of housewife

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

Example Sentences

The nation's first Games gold in 18 years had been won by what was dismissively - and erroneously - described at the time as a group of Scottish housewives in an odd little sport.

From BBC

Britain's first Winter Olympics gold in 18 years had been won by a group of Scottish housewives in an odd little sport.

From BBC

“The Golden Life” will no longer feature Zarin among its cast of housewives, series producer Blink49 Studios announced in a statement on Tuesday.

From Los Angeles Times

This domestic sitcom, starring Lucille Ball as a frustrated housewife and Ball’s then-husband Desi Arnaz as her patient bandleader husband, is the most influential show in TV history, and it isn’t close.

From The Wall Street Journal

“The Housemaid” would be enjoyable enough had Seyfried only been giving a layered performance as a mentally ill housewife.

From Salon

Related Words

• homemaker