What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
housewife
Example
My grandmother was a housewife who took care of her children and home. [housewife: noun]
Example
She enjoys being a housewife and taking care of her family. [housewife: noun]
housekeeper
Example
We hired a housekeeper to help us with the cleaning and laundry. [housekeeper: noun]
Example
The housekeeper did an excellent job of keeping the house clean and organized. [housekeeper: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Housekeeper is more commonly used than housewife in everyday language. Housekeeper is a professional position that is respected, while housewife can be seen as a traditional role that is sometimes devalued.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between housewife and housekeeper?
Housekeeper is a more formal term than housewife. While housewife can be associated with a more traditional and conservative lifestyle, housekeeper is a more modern and practical term that is used in both formal and informal contexts.
