housekeep: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, occasionally formal in specific contexts (e.g., IT).
Quick answer
What does “housekeep” mean?
To manage the day-to-day running and cleaning of a home.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To manage the day-to-day running and cleaning of a home.
To perform or be responsible for the routine maintenance, organization, and upkeep of any system, environment, or process.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the verb, but 'housekeep' is less common than the noun 'housekeeping' or the phrase 'do the housework.' In AmE, it is slightly more likely to appear in technical contexts (e.g., 'housekeep a server').
Connotations
In both, it can carry slightly old-fashioned or formal connotations when referring to domestic chores. In technical use, it is neutral.
Frequency
Low-frequency verb in both dialects. The noun 'housekeeping' is vastly more common.
Grammar
How to Use “housekeep” in a Sentence
[Subject] housekeep [for Object] (intransitive)[Subject] housekeep [Place/Object] (transitive)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “housekeep” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- When my grandmother lived alone, she continued to housekeep meticulously.
- The software is designed to housekeep the network drives automatically.
American English
- She hired someone to housekeep for her during the summer.
- Our IT department housekeeps the servers every weekend.
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverbial form derived from 'housekeep'.]
American English
- [No standard adverbial form derived from 'housekeep'.]
adjective
British English
- [No standard adjectival form. Use 'housekeeping' as a modifier: 'housekeeping duties']
American English
- [No standard adjectival form. Use 'housekeeping' as a modifier: 'housekeeping tasks']
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to routine administrative or financial tasks. 'We need to housekeep our files before the audit.'
Academic
Rare. Might appear in social sciences discussing domestic labour.
Everyday
Used literally for managing a home. 'I've been housekeeping all morning.'
Technical
In computing, refers to routine maintenance tasks like clearing cache or archiving data. 'The script housekeeps the database nightly.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “housekeep”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “housekeep”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “housekeep”
- Using 'housekeep' as a noun (incorrect: 'She does the housekeep.' Correct: 'She does the housekeeping.').
- Overusing the verb; 'clean' or 'tidy' is often more natural for simple actions.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is relatively uncommon. The noun 'housekeeping' and phrases like 'do the cleaning' are far more frequent.
Yes, especially in technical or business contexts where it refers to maintaining order and performing routine tasks within a system.
'Housekeep' implies a wider range of ongoing management tasks (organizing, shopping, maintaining), not just cleaning. 'Clean' focuses on removing dirt.
The verb is a back-formation from the noun 'housekeeping.' Using 'housekeep' as a noun is incorrect.
To manage the day-to-day running and cleaning of a home.
Housekeep is usually informal, occasionally formal in specific contexts (e.g., it). in register.
Housekeep: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhaʊsˌkiːp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhaʊsˌkip/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms directly with the verb 'housekeep'. Related noun idiom: 'housekeeping money']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: To KEEP a HOUSE clean and running = HOUSEKEEP.
Conceptual Metaphor
MAINTENANCE IS HEALTH (A poorly housekept system becomes 'sick' or dysfunctional).
Practice
Quiz
In a computing context, what does 'housekeep' most closely mean?