laundress

American  

[lawn-dris, lahn-] / ˈlɔn drɪs, ˈlɑn- /

noun

1. a woman whose work is the washing and ironing of clothes, linens, etc.

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laundress British  

/ ˈlɔːndrɪs /

noun

1. a woman who launders clothes, sheets, etc, for a living

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Gender

See -ess.

Other Word Forms

• underlaundress
  noun

Etymology

Origin of laundress

1540–50; obsolete launder launderer ( see launder) + -ess

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

laundress

In a little over a year, my three-decade indenture as a full-time laundress will come to an end.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 19, 2024

Folding the napkin might also indicate that your family did not have a laundress, so the napkins were used for several meals before washing, but that is hardly what one would call low-class.

From Washington Post ● Feb. 6, 2023

When the rain finally returned earlier this year, Ms. Vaolina — the farmer turned laundress — joined the other climate refugees in the refugee camp as they danced in the rain.

From New York Times ● Nov. 17, 2022

Desmond Mpilo Tutu, the son of a schoolteacher and a laundress, was born Oct.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 26, 2021

“I’ll take her for my helper,” the laundress said.

From "Ella Enchanted" by Gail Carson Levine