noun
housewife
HOWS-wyf
noun
1
A woman whose main role is managing the home rather than working outside it.
"She was a housewife for fifteen years before returning to teaching."
2
A small sewing kit or case for needles, thread, and pins.
"His grandmother packed a housewife in every parcel she sent him."
How to Use Housewife
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA woman who runs the household full-time, or (much less commonly) a small sewing kit.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "hussy" — they share the same origin, but only "hussy" carries the negative meaning today.
Easily confused with
Word Forms
housewives plural, housewifes plural
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She was a _____ for fifteen years before returning to teaching.
Etymology
From Middle English houswyf, house + wife. It is a doublet of "hussy" — the two words split apart over time as "hussy" took on a negative meaning.