chimney sweep: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
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Quick answer
What does “chimney sweep” mean?
A person whose job is to clean soot from chimneys.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person whose job is to clean soot from chimneys.
Historically, this was often dangerous work done by children or apprentices; the term can evoke Victorian-era imagery. In modern usage, it refers to a professional who maintains and cleans chimneys, flues, and fireplaces for safety and efficiency.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term and profession are equally common in both varieties, though the historical context might be more frequently referenced in British culture due to its prominence in the Industrial Revolution.
Connotations
Carries historical connotations of child labour and soot-covered workers (chimney sweeps). In a modern context, it is a standard trade.
Frequency
Low frequency in everyday conversation, but standard when referring to the trade.
Grammar
How to Use “chimney sweep” in a Sentence
We need to [verb: hire/call/book] a chimney sweep.The chimney sweep [verb: cleaned/inspected/advised].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chimney sweep” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We should have the chimney swept before winter.
- He sweeps chimneys for a living.
American English
- We need to get the chimney swept next week.
- She sweeps chimneys in the local area.
adjective
British English
- He came in his chimney-sweep overalls.
- The chimney-sweep profession has modernised.
American English
- She runs a chimney-sweep business.
- The chimney-sweep tools were laid out neatly.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Professional listing for home maintenance services.
Academic
Historical or sociological texts discussing pre-20th century labour.
Everyday
Discussing home maintenance before using a fireplace.
Technical
Building safety and maintenance manuals.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “chimney sweep”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chimney sweep”
- Using 'chimney sweeper' (less common). Confusing with 'chimney stack' (the structure itself).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it is a modernised trade. Today's professionals often inspect, clean, and advise on the safety of chimneys and heating appliances, using specialised tools and cameras.
This is a tradition, particularly in the UK and Germany. It stems from the belief that encountering a chimney sweep (especially on your wedding day) brings good fortune, perhaps because their work prevented house fires.
This is a trick question based on the short form. 'Chimney sweep' (noun) is the person. 'Sweep' can be used as a short noun for the same person ('The sweep arrived') or as a verb ('to sweep the chimney').
Yes, historically, particularly in 18th and 19th century Britain, 'climbing boys' as young as 4 or 5 were used because their small size allowed them to climb inside narrow chimneys. This practice was eventually regulated and abolished due to its extreme danger.
A person whose job is to clean soot from chimneys.
Chimney sweep is usually neutral in register.
Chimney sweep: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtʃɪmni swiːp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtʃɪmni swiːp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “As sooty as a chimney sweep”
- “Luck of the chimney sweep (a traditional good luck symbol, especially at weddings).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a person SWEEPing a long CHIMNEY with a giant brush.
Conceptual Metaphor
A CLEANER OF PASSAGEWAYS (metaphor for removing blockages or 'clearing the path').
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common modern reason for hiring a chimney sweep?