housewife
- 01 A2 Elementary
a woman who manages her own home and family as her main job.
a woman whose primary occupation is domestic management and child-rearing within her own home.
Simple“In the 1950s, it was very common for a woman to be a housewife.”
In context“While the term housewife was standard in mid-century census data, modern sociological discourse prefers gender-neutral terms like homemaker or stay-at-home parent.”
UsageThe term is often replaced by 'homemaker' in modern professional or inclusive contexts.
Teacher's tipTeachers should note that while this word is common in older literature and films, some modern speakers find it reductive or old-fashioned.
Synonymshomemakerstay at home motherAntonymscareer womanbreadwinner - 02 C2 Proficiency
a small bag or case used for holding needles, thread, and other sewing tools.
a small case or pouch designed to hold sewing implements such as needles, thread, and scissors.
Simple“She kept a small housewife in her travel bag to fix loose buttons.”
In context“The soldier carried a compact housewife in his kit to perform emergency repairs on his uniform during the campaign.”
UsageIn this sense, the word is often pronounced 'huzzif'.
Teacher's tipThis sense is extremely rare today and mostly appears in historical novels or military history contexts.
Synonymssewing kithussif
From Middle English houswyf, housewif, huswijf, equivalent to house + wife; a doublet of hussy, which it was long distinguished from and displaced due to gradual negative connotation (see Online Etymology Dictionary entry). Cognate with West Frisian húswiif, Dutch huiswijf, German Low German Huuswief, German Hausweib.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.