housewifery

[hous-wahy-fuh-ree, -wahyf-ree]

noun

1. the function or work of a housewife; housekeeping.

Word History and Origins

Origin of housewifery¹

First recorded in 1400–50, housewifery is from the late Middle English word huswyfery. See housewife, -ery

Example Sentences

Most of the pundits and influencers making this argument frame housewifery as an escape from the stress of modern working life.

Read more on Salon

The biggest of all are the "tradwives": influencers who peddle idyllic images of housewifery, where women's equality is rejected in favor of obsequiousness and exaggerated domesticity.

Read more on Salon

Betty Friedan wrote that “housewifery expands to fill the time available,” and the same is true of bad political news.

Read more on Seattle Times

I said to my girlfriends, "Full-time mothering and housewifery is way harder than what I do for work. Much harder. And there's way more at stake, obviously."

Read more on Salon

She told the online publication Literary Hub that the theater company was her opportunity to “leave housewifery behind.”

Read more on Washington Post

Related Words

• housework