janitress

[jan-i-tris]

noun

1. a woman who is a janitor.

Gender Note

See -ess.

Word History and Origins

Origin of janitress¹

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90; janit(o)r + -ess

Example Sentences

The school janitress Sally Swing trucks and scats her way to campus stardom but vintage jitterbug moves notwithstanding, the cartoon was most likely chosen for the climactic scene in which a cap and gown descend upon her from on high.

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She worked as a janitress and kept three tenement houses clean.

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They owned this privilege because Francie’s mother was the janitress.

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They were leaving most of their furniture for the new janitress.

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Johnny swore that he wouldn’t have his wife a janitress.

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