# innkeeper

/ˈɪnˌkipɝ/ (US) · /ˈɪnkiːpɐ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/innkeeper
Updated: 2026-06-22

## Definition

the person who owns or manages an inn, which is a place where people stay and eat. This is an older word that you might see in history books or stories about the past.

For teachers: the owner or manager of an inn, specifically a public house that provides lodging for travelers. Often used in historical or literary contexts to distinguish from modern hoteliers.

## Examples

- The innkeeper showed us to our room for the night.
- In the 18th century, the local innkeeper was a vital source of news and gossip for the entire village.
- The weary travelers were greeted by a grizzled innkeeper who had spent decades managing the same establishment, his knowledge of the local roads surpassing that of the county's own surveyors.

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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.