laundress

[ lawn-dris, lahn- ]

noun

1. a woman whose work is the washing and ironing of clothes, linens, etc.

laundress

/ ˈlɔːndrɪs /

noun

1. a woman who launders clothes, sheets, etc, for a living

Gender Note

See -ess.

Other Words From

• under·laundress noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of laundress¹

1540–50; obsolete launder launderer ( launder ) + -ess

Example Sentences

At a young age, she took on a job as a laundress, which exposed her to harsh cleansers that made her hair fall out.

From Popular-Science

Catherine Lynch, an Irish immigrant and laundress, moved to Elm Street around 1870 when the house was divided into apartments.

From Washington Post

Undeterred, the intrepid laundress finagled a part in a movie which was being shot in her 'hood.

From The Daily Beast

The boy Gowen was the prime spirit in getting up the subscription for the laundress.

From Project Gutenberg

She before him was an uneducated laundress, and he was a sculptor and a Royal Academician, with a fortune and a reputation.

From Project Gutenberg

At first I imagined that my laundress had permitted some stranger to occupy my rooms during my incarceration.

From Project Gutenberg

The laundress looked at me and smiled; she did not seem to dislike the idea of being put in communication with me.

From Project Gutenberg

In small families where two servants are employed the cook usually is laundress as well.

From Project Gutenberg