Caretaker
/ˈkɛərˌteɪkər/
nounBeginnerCommonGeneral
Meaning
Question
Definitions
1
A person who takes care of something or someone, especially temporarily.
/ˈkɛərˌteɪkər/
nounneutralBeginner
General
Person responsible for looking after something or someone.
The caretaker of the apartment building was very friendly.
💡 Simply: Someone who looks after things or people.
More Examples
2
During the owner's absence, a caretaker managed the property.
How It's Used
Property Management
"The caretaker was responsible for maintaining the building's cleanliness."
Childcare
"While her parents were at work, a caretaker looked after the child."
From Middle English *caretaker, combining "care" and "taker". It evolved to describe someone who takes care of something or someone.
The term has consistently referred to someone taking care of property or people since its Middle English origins, with the meaning remaining largely unchanged.
Memory tip
Think "care" and "taker" – someone who takes care.
Practice
caretakercare-taker
Usage
40%Spoken
60%Written