breadwinner Definition
a person who earns money to support their family, typically the sole one.
Using breadwinner: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "breadwinner" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
My father was the breadwinner in our family.
Example
She became the breadwinner after her husband lost his job.
Example
He works two jobs to be the breadwinner for his family.
breadwinner Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with breadwinner
sole breadwinner
the only person in a family who earns money to support the family
Example
After her husband passed away, she became the sole breadwinner for her children.
the person in a family who earns the most money to support the family
Example
Although both parents work, her father is the primary breadwinner in their family.
the person in a family who earns less money than the primary breadwinner to support the family
Example
Although she works part-time, she is the secondary breadwinner in their family.
Origins of breadwinner
from 'bread' + 'winner', meaning a person who wins bread or earns a living
Summary: breadwinner in Brief
'Breadwinner' [bred-win-er] refers to a person, usually the sole one, who earns money to support their family. It is often used to describe the primary earner in a household, as in 'My father was the breadwinner in our family.' Other phrases include 'sole breadwinner,' 'primary breadwinner,' and 'secondary breadwinner.'