carpet-sweeper: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowNeutral, but somewhat dated/historical
Quick answer
What does “carpet-sweeper” mean?
A small hand-pushed device with rotating brushes for sweeping dust and debris from carpets and rugs, typically without electricity.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small hand-pushed device with rotating brushes for sweeping dust and debris from carpets and rugs, typically without electricity.
More broadly, it can refer to any manual or historical cleaning tool for carpets, or metaphorically to something that cleans up or conceals problems superficially.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The term is equally recognizable and used in both varieties, though the object itself is less common.
Connotations
In both, connotes simplicity, manual labor, and an older era. May have a quaint or antiquated feel.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects. The functional object has been largely replaced by the vacuum cleaner.
Grammar
How to Use “carpet-sweeper” in a Sentence
[Subject] pushed/used a carpet-sweeper.The carpet-sweeper [verb: collected/gathered/removed] the crumbs.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “carpet-sweeper” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She decided to carpet-sweep the parlour before the guests arrived.
American English
- I'll just carpet-sweep the family room quickly.
adjective
British English
- The carpet-sweeper era preceded widespread electrification.
American English
- We found an old carpet-sweeper model in the basement.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in historical business contexts or antique retail.
Academic
Found in historical, sociological, or design studies of domestic technology.
Everyday
Used when referring to an old-fashioned cleaning tool, often in grandparents' homes.
Technical
Not a technical term in modern engineering; of interest in history of technology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “carpet-sweeper”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “carpet-sweeper”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “carpet-sweeper”
- Confusing it with a vacuum cleaner. Spelling as one word 'carpetsweeper' is less standard than hyphenated or two-word forms.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A carpet-sweeper is a manual, non-electric device that uses rotating brushes. A vacuum cleaner uses an electric motor to create suction.
They are rare in everyday use in developed countries, having been largely replaced by vacuum cleaners. They are still sold for quick, quiet clean-ups or as nostalgic items.
A carpet-sweeper is a self-contained box on wheels with internal brushes and a dust collection compartment, designed specifically for carpets. A broom is a handheld tool for sweeping various surfaces.
Yes, though it's informal and rare. 'To carpet-sweep' means to clean a carpet using a carpet-sweeper.
A small hand-pushed device with rotating brushes for sweeping dust and debris from carpets and rugs, typically without electricity.
Carpet-sweeper is usually neutral, but somewhat dated/historical in register.
Carpet-sweeper: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɑː.pɪt ˌswiː.pə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːr.pɪt ˌswiː.pɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “sweep something under the carpet (related conceptually, but not directly involving the object)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a SWEEPing brush specifically for a CARPET that you OPERATE yourself. Carpet + Sweeper = a sweeper for carpets.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SIMPLE/ANTIQUATED SOLUTION FOR A MODERN PROBLEM; MANUAL LABOR VS. TECHNOLOGY.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary defining characteristic of a carpet-sweeper?