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

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Etymology

Origin of laundress

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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

laundress

Ethel Waters in 1949 became the second Black performer to score an Oscar nomination as an illiterate Southern laundress in “Pinky.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 8, 2024

To that end, another bronze sculpture set in a reflecting pool, “Last Garment,” depicts a laundress at work.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 21, 2022

What is the difference between an honest and a dishonest laundress?

From Salon ● Sep. 6, 2021

Ball won the 2008 Olivier Award for his performance as this demure, soft-spoken laundress when the Broadway hit first came to London, and his affection for the generous-hearted show seems only to have deepened since.

From New York Times ● Aug. 5, 2021

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

From "Ella Enchanted" by Gail Carson Levine

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