What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
houseboy
Example
The houseboy was responsible for cleaning the floors and doing the laundry. [houseboy: noun]
Example
He worked as a houseboy for a wealthy family during his summer break. [houseboy: noun]
housekeeper
Example
The housekeeper comes every Tuesday to clean the house. [housekeeper: noun]
Example
She worked as a housekeeper for several families before starting her own cleaning business. [housekeeper: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Housekeeper is a more commonly used term than houseboy in modern language. The term houseboy is considered outdated and may be offensive to some people due to its historical connotations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between houseboy and housekeeper?
Housekeeper is a more formal term than houseboy. While housekeeper can be used in both formal and informal contexts, houseboy is generally considered informal and may be inappropriate in certain settings.