Word Noun
janitor
n.
countable
B1 Intermediate US /ˈdʒænətɝ/ UK /dʒˈænɪtɐ/ jan·i·tor UK spelling janitor's, janitor's
Definition
n.a person whose job is to take care of a building. They usually clean the floors, fix small problems, and look after the heating system.
n.a person employed to maintain, clean, and provide security for a building, such as a school or office complex. Often synonymous with 'custodian' or 'caretaker'.
Examples
“The janitor cleans the hallways every night.”
“After the basketball game, the school janitor stayed late to mop the gym floor and lock the doors.”
“While the administrative staff handled the paperwork, the janitor was responsible for the physical integrity of the facility, managing everything from plumbing repairs to waste disposal.”
Etymology
From Latin ianitor (“doorkeeper”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
This entry
Origin Latin ianitor
Level B1 · Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated