housecleaning: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2neutral
Quick answer
What does “housecleaning” mean?
The act of cleaning the interior of a home, including tasks like dusting, vacuuming, and washing.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act of cleaning the interior of a home, including tasks like dusting, vacuuming, and washing.
A thorough removal or reorganization of unwanted elements, often used metaphorically to describe clearing out corruption, outdated practices, or inefficiencies in an organization or system.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The compound 'housecleaning' is standard in American English. In British English, the open form 'house cleaning' is more common, though the compound is understood.
Connotations
Similar in both varieties, though the metaphorical sense (e.g., political housecleaning) is slightly more frequent in American media.
Frequency
More common in American English overall.
Grammar
How to Use “housecleaning” in a Sentence
undergo a housecleaningdo some housecleaningneed a housecleaningVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “housecleaning” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They were house-cleaning all morning.
American English
- She spent Saturday housecleaning the entire apartment.
adverb
British English
- Not typically used.
American English
- Not typically used.
adjective
British English
- She bought new house-cleaning supplies.
American English
- He tackled his housecleaning chores.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
'The new CEO started with a major housecleaning of the management team.'
Academic
'The historical analysis revealed a political housecleaning following the revolution.'
Everyday
'I've got to do some serious housecleaning this weekend.'
Technical
Not typically used in technical contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “housecleaning”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “housecleaning”
- Using 'housecleaning' for minor daily chores.
- Spelling it as one word in British English where 'house cleaning' is preferred.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In American English, it is standard as one word ('housecleaning'). In British English, it is often written as two words ('house cleaning'), though the compound form is also accepted.
'Housecleaning' refers specifically to the act of cleaning. 'Housekeeping' is broader, encompassing cleaning, organizing, laundry, and general maintenance, and can also be a formal job title.
Yes, informally, especially in American English (e.g., 'I'll be housecleaning all day'). However, 'to clean (the) house' is more common.
It is frequently used in politics, business, and organizations to mean removing corrupt, inefficient, or unwanted people or practices (e.g., 'a cabinet housecleaning').
The act of cleaning the interior of a home, including tasks like dusting, vacuuming, and washing.
Housecleaning is usually neutral in register.
Housecleaning: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhaʊsˌkliːnɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhaʊsˌkliːnɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a clean sweep (metaphorical)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: cleaning the HOUSE keeps it CLEAN -> housecleaning.
Conceptual Metaphor
ORGANIZATIONS ARE HOUSES (e.g., 'cleaning up' a company).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'housecleaning' used metaphorically?