cleaning woman: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Informal, somewhat dated
Quick answer
What does “cleaning woman” mean?
A woman employed to clean the interior of a building, such as a house or office.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A woman employed to clean the interior of a building, such as a house or office.
A female domestic worker whose primary duty is cleaning. The term can sometimes be used as a gendered job description, though more neutral terms are increasingly preferred.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the term. In the UK, 'cleaner' or 'daily help' is more common in everyday speech. In the US, 'cleaning lady' is a frequent informal equivalent.
Connotations
Can be seen as slightly old-fashioned or socioeconomically marked in both varieties. Neutral in basic descriptive use but may be perceived as lacking modern sensitivity regarding gender-neutral job titles.
Frequency
Less frequent than the simplex 'cleaner' in contemporary usage in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “cleaning woman” in a Sentence
The [cleaning woman] [verb: cleans, arrives, works].[Possessive: My, Our, Their] [cleaning woman] [verb].We have a [cleaning woman] who [clause].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cleaning woman” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She cleaning-womaned for several families in the neighbourhood. (very rare, non-standard)
American English
- (No standard verb form exists for this noun.)
adverb
British English
- (Not used as an adverb.)
American English
- (Not used as an adverb.)
adjective
British English
- (Not used as a standard adjective.)
American English
- (Not used as a standard adjective.)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare in formal business contexts; 'cleaning staff' or 'contract cleaner' is preferred.
Academic
Very rare; used only in sociological or historical discussions of domestic labour.
Everyday
Primary context. Used in informal conversation about domestic arrangements.
Technical
Not a technical term.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cleaning woman”
- Using 'cleaning woman' in formal writing.
- Using it as a plural without changing 'woman' to 'women' (e.g., 'two cleaning woman').
- Capitalising it as a job title (e.g., 'Cleaning Woman').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is descriptive but somewhat dated. 'Cleaner' or 'cleaning professional' is more neutral and modern, as it avoids specifying gender.
A 'cleaning woman' focuses primarily on cleaning tasks. A 'housekeeper' may have broader responsibilities including laundry, shopping, and sometimes cooking or supervision.
Yes, the plural is 'cleaning women' (e.g., 'The building employs three cleaning women').
Rarely in modern, formal advertisements due to gender-specific language. Terms like 'Cleaner', 'Domestic Cleaner', or 'Cleaning Staff' are standard.
A woman employed to clean the interior of a building, such as a house or office.
Cleaning woman is usually informal, somewhat dated in register.
Cleaning woman: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkliːnɪŋ ˌwʊmən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈklinɪŋ ˌwʊmən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specifically with this compound noun.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a woman with a CLEANING spray and cloth. The two words directly describe her job and gender.
Conceptual Metaphor
SERVICE IS A COMMODITY / A PERSON IS THEIR ROLE (metonymy).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the most neutral and modern synonym for 'cleaning woman'?