housewife

Everyday

1. A woman whose main work is looking after her home and family, not working at a paid job. tree →
2. (old, UK, also «hussif») A small sewing kit. tree →

In the lessons

In older stories and history lessons many women were housewives; today people often say «homemaker» or «stay-at-home parent», which can be a man or a woman. Phrases: «a busy housewife».

Examples

• In the old story, the housewife baked bread every morning. tree →
• My great-grandmother was a housewife with seven children. tree →
• Housewives once washed clothes by hand. tree →
• Today, «homemaker» is used more than «housewife». tree →
• The advert showed a happy housewife with a new washing machine. tree →
• The soldier carried a housewife to mend his uniform. tree →
• A young housewife was spinning late one evening. tree →

Note

Plural «housewives» (f → ves, like wife → wives). The word can feel old-fashioned; «homemaker» works for anyone. Male: househusband.