housewife

noun

house·​wife ˈhau̇s-ˌwīf How to pronounce housewife (audio)
especially in sense 2 and in early poetry
ˈhə-zəf How to pronounce housewife (audio)
or -səf
plural housewives ˈhau̇s-ˌwīvz How to pronounce housewife (audio)
also
ˈhau̇z-ˌwīvz How to pronounce housewife (audio)
ˈhə-zəfs
-zəvz
-səfs
-səvz
Synonyms of housewifenext
1
: a married woman in charge of a household
2
: a pocket-size container for small articles (such as thread)
housewifeliness noun
housewifely adjective
housewifery
ˈhau̇s-ˌwī-f(ə-)rē How to pronounce housewife (audio)
British -(ˌ)wi-f(ə-)rē
also ˈhə-zə-frē
noun
housewifey 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.
Abbass plays a housewife named Aida who replies to a casting call for extras to make ends meet. Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 14 May 2026 Davis played meek housewife Thelma Dickinson, who sets out on a weekend fishing trip with best friend Louise Sawyer (Sarandon) to get a break from their less-than-ideal male partners. Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026 In recent years, housewives have been introduced as highly polished. Shelby Stewart, Essence, 12 May 2026 Nene Leakes is one of the housewives confirmed to appear during the Atlanta stop of the special event series. Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 11 May 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Housewife.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/housewife. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

housewife

noun
house·​wife ˈhau̇-ˌswīf How to pronounce housewife (audio)
sense 2 is often
ˈhəz-əf How to pronounce housewife (audio)
ˈhəs-əf
1
: a married woman who manages her own home
2
: a small container for small articles (as thread)
housewifeliness noun
housewifely adjective
housewifery noun

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