Word
chore
US/ˈtʃɔɹ/
UK/tʃˈɔː/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a small job you have to do regularly, like cleaning your room or washing dishes. It is usually a task that is boring but necessary.
n. a routine task, especially a household one. Often carries a connotation of being tedious or unpleasant.
Examples
“Doing the laundry is my least favorite chore.”
“The children are expected to finish their daily chores before they are allowed to play video games.”
“What was once a labor of love had become a repetitive chore, draining the artist of the creative energy that had originally fueled the project.”
Examples
simple
“Doing the laundry is my least favorite chore.”
contextual
“The children are expected to finish their daily chores before they are allowed to play video games.”
complex
“What was once a labor of love had become a repetitive chore, draining the artist of the creative energy that had originally fueled the project.”
Usage
Commonly used in the plural ('chores') when referring to general housework.
Etymology
From earlier char, from Middle English charr, charre, cherre (“odd job, turn, occasion, business”), from Old English ċerr, ċierr (“a turn”), from ċierran (“to turn”), from Proto-Germanic karzijaną (“to turn”), from Proto-Indo-European gers- (“to bend, turn”). Cognate with Dutch keer (“time; turn; occasion”), German Kehre (“a turn; bend; wind; back-flip; u-turn”). Also related to Saterland Frisian kiere, käire (“to turn”), Old Saxon kērian, Old High German chēran (“to turn”) (German kehren (“to turn”), Dutch keren (“to turn”)). See also char.
Possibly derived from Romani ćor (“thief”), see also Geordie word chor.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/chore