What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
housekeeping
Example
Good housekeeping involves keeping everything in its place and maintaining a clean environment. [housekeeping: noun]
Example
She spends most of her day doing housekeeping tasks like laundry and dishes. [housekeeping: adjective]
housework
Example
I have a lot of housework to do today, including vacuuming and dusting. [housework: noun]
Example
He helps with the housework by doing the dishes and taking out the trash. [housework: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Housework is more commonly used than housekeeping in everyday language. Housework is a more specific term that is used to describe the routine tasks involved in maintaining a home, while housekeeping is a broader term that is used less frequently.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between housekeeping and housework?
Both housekeeping and housework are generally informal terms, but housekeeping can be associated with a higher level of responsibility and management, making it slightly more formal than housework.