charlady: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowOld-fashioned, somewhat dated, slightly informal. Can be considered condescending or patronising in modern usage.
Quick answer
What does “charlady” mean?
A woman who is employed to clean a house, office, or other building.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A woman who is employed to clean a house, office, or other building.
A historically common term for a domestic cleaner, often implying part-time, daily work, carrying connotations of class, gender, and social status. The role typically involves cleaning, dusting, and other basic household chores.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is almost exclusively British. The equivalent role and term in American English was historically 'cleaning lady' or 'charwoman'. 'Charlady' is very rarely used in AmE.
Connotations
In BrE: evokes mid-20th century Britain, class structure. In AmE: largely unknown; if used, would be perceived as a Britishism.
Frequency
Very low frequency in contemporary BrE, largely replaced by 'cleaner' or 'daily help'. Extremely rare to non-existent in AmE.
Grammar
How to Use “charlady” in a Sentence
The [ADJECTIVE] charlady [VERB] the [NOUN].We have a charlady [PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “charlady” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not applicable as a verb.
American English
- Not applicable as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
American English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- Not applicable as an adjective.
American English
- Not applicable as an adjective.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used in modern business contexts; historical texts may refer to office cleaners.
Academic
Used in historical, sociological, or literary studies discussing class, gender, and domestic service.
Everyday
Very rare in contemporary everyday speech; considered old-fashioned.
Technical
Not a technical term.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “charlady”
- Misspelling as 'charlady' (correct) vs. 'char lady'. Using it in modern American contexts. Assuming it is a polite term today.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is considered old-fashioned and can sound patronising. 'Cleaner' or 'cleaning assistant' are more neutral, contemporary terms.
A charlady typically worked part-time, often for several households, doing basic cleaning. A housekeeper was often live-in and had broader management responsibilities for a single household.
Virtually never. The equivalent historical term in American English is 'charwoman' or more commonly 'cleaning lady'.
It comes from the Old English word 'cerr' or 'cierran' meaning 'a turn' or 'task', which evolved to mean 'an odd job' or 'chore'.
A woman who is employed to clean a house, office, or other building.
Charlady is usually old-fashioned, somewhat dated, slightly informal. can be considered condescending or patronising in modern usage. in register.
Charlady: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtʃɑːˌleɪ.di/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtʃɑːrˌleɪ.di/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this term.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'CHAR' as in 'chore' + 'LADY'. A lady who does chores.
Conceptual Metaphor
DOMESTIC WORK IS A LOW-STATUS SERVICE (reflected in the compound's informal first element and formal second element).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the most accurate description of the modern usage of 'charlady'?