housewife

noun

house·wife ˈhau̇s-ˌwīf

especially in sense 2 and in early poetry

ˈhə-zəf

or -səf

plural housewives ˈhau̇s-ˌwīvz

also

ˈhau̇z-ˌwīvz

ˈhə-zəfs,

-zəvz,

-səfs,

-səvz

Synonyms of housewife

: a married woman in charge of a household

: a pocket-size container for small articles (such as thread)

housewifeliness

ˈhau̇s-ˌwīf-lē-nəs

noun

housewifely

ˈhau̇s-ˌwīf-lē

adjective

housewifery

ˈhau̇s-ˌwī-f(ə-)rē

British -(ˌ)wi-f(ə-)rē

also ˈhə-zə-frē

noun

housewifey

ˈhau̇s-ˌwī-fē

adjective

Examples of housewife in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Sadat’s Super Afghan Gym follows a group of Afghan housewives in Kabul who gather at a local gym during the only hour of the day reserved for women. — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2026 While three-quarters of Danish women were housewives in 1960, nearly half were in the workforce by 1985. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Oct. 2026 Cooke samples an absorbing range of hoaxes, from the college students who convinced the world that an imaginary Scotsman had invented the electric toaster to the Chinese housewife who fabricated an entire war out of boredom. — Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026 Along with Cold War Choir Practice, this is her second cult-captive housewife in less than a year. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for housewife

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of housewife was in the 13th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Housewife.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/housewife. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

housewife

noun

house·wife ˈhau̇-ˌswīf

sense 2 is often

ˈhəz-əf

ˈhəs-əf

: a married woman who manages her own home

: a small container for small articles (as thread)

housewifeliness

ˈhau̇-ˌswī-flē-nəs

noun

housewifely

-flē

adjective

housewifery

ˈhau̇-ˌswī-fə-rē

-frē

noun

housewife

noun

Examples of housewife in a Sentence

Word History

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housewife

noun

Examples of housewife in a Sentence

Word History

Rhymes for housewife

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to housewife

tradwife

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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