housewifery

[ hous-wahy-fuh-ree, -wahyf-ree ]

noun

1. the function or work of a housewife; housekeeping.

Word History and Origins

Origin of housewifery¹

First recorded in 1400–50, housewifery is from the late Middle English word huswyfery. See housewife, -ery

Example Sentences

Betty Friedan wrote that “housewifery expands to fill the time available,” and the same is true of bad political news.

From Seattle Times

I said to my girlfriends, "Full-time mothering and housewifery is way harder than what I do for work. Much harder. And there's way more at stake, obviously."

From Salon

She told the online publication Literary Hub that the theater company was her opportunity to “leave housewifery behind.”

From Washington Post

Her life is airless, packed with stultifying tasks: “Japanese motherhood and its attendant housewifery is a cult,” says Mizuki.

From New York Times

But by his side we also have Samuel Richardson, whose novel “Pamela” was a blueprint for how chaste women should behave in the face of avid pursuit, encouraging a zeal for housewifery.

From New York Times

Related Words

• housework