# housewife

/ˈhaʊˌswaɪf/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/housewife
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. homemaker

noun · CEFR A2

a woman who manages her own home and family as her main job.

For teachers: a woman whose primary occupation is domestic management and child-rearing within her own home.

- In the 1950s, it was very common for a woman to be a housewife.
- 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.

Usage: The term is often replaced by 'homemaker' in modern professional or inclusive contexts.

Teaching tip: Teachers should note that while this word is common in older literature and films, some modern speakers find it reductive or old-fashioned.

### 2. sewing kit

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · British English

a small bag or case used for holding needles, thread, and other sewing tools.

For teachers: a small case or pouch designed to hold sewing implements such as needles, thread, and scissors.

- She kept a small housewife in her travel bag to fix loose buttons.
- The soldier carried a compact housewife in his kit to perform emergency repairs on his uniform during the campaign.

Usage: In this sense, the word is often pronounced 'huzzif'.

Teaching tip: This sense is extremely rare today and mostly appears in historical novels or military history contexts.

## Examples

- She worked as a housewife while her children were young.
- In the mid-twentieth century, the role of the housewife was often depicted in advertisements as the pillar of domestic stability.
- Sociologists have studied how the traditional image of the housewife shifted as more women entered the professional workforce, leading to a redefinition of domestic labor and shared responsibilities.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.