Housewife

ˈhaʊswaɪf

nounBeginnerCommonGeneral

Definitions

1

A married woman who manages her household and family affairs.

ˈhaʊswaɪf

nounneutralBeginner
General

A married woman whose main occupation is caring for her family, managing household affairs, and doing housework.

My grandmother was a devoted housewife, always cooking and cleaning.

💡 Simply: Imagine a mom who's super organized and keeps the house running smoothly. She cooks, cleans, and takes care of the family. That's a housewife!

👶 For kids: A housewife is a grown-up lady who takes care of her home and family.

More Examples

2

The term 'housewife' describes someone whose primary work is in the home.

3

Many women juggle the roles of a housewife and a career.

How It's Used

Social

"She dedicated her life to being a housewife and raising her children."

Historical

"In the past, the role of a housewife was often the primary occupation for married women."

From Middle English houswif, from Old English hūswīf, literally 'house wife,' denoting a married woman who manages a household.

Historically, the term 'housewife' was often used to define a woman's primary role, and it carried social and economic implications.

Memory tip

Think of the 'house' and 'wife' – the person who runs the house.

housewifhousewives

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written