janitor
B1Neutral, slightly formal or official; "custodian" or "caretaker" may be used more formally.
Definition
Meaning
a person whose job is to clean and maintain a building, such as a school or office.
A caretaker responsible for the cleaning, maintenance, and security of a building; in some contexts, particularly in Scotland, a person who cleans the common areas of an apartment building or housing complex (a "janitor" in Scotland is distinct from a "caretaker").
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily denotes a person performing manual cleaning and maintenance tasks. Can carry slightly negative connotations of low-status work, though this is not inherent to the word itself.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, "caretaker" is the more common general term for this role, especially in schools and public buildings. "Janitor" is understood but less frequent. In the US, "janitor" is the standard, neutral term.
Connotations
UK: "Janitor" might sound slightly American or refer specifically to someone who cleans (e.g., in a Scottish tenement). US: Neutral occupational term.
Frequency
High frequency in US English; medium-low frequency in UK English, where "caretaker" predominates.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The janitor [verb] the [noun].The [location] janitor is responsible for...Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “"Like a janitor in a windstorm" (informal, implying futile effort).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in job titles and facility management contexts ("Janitorial services contract").
Academic
Appears in sociological studies of labour or school administration texts.
Everyday
Common when referring to the person who cleans a specific building.
Technical
Used in facilities management, but "custodian" or "facilities technician" may be preferred.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The council decided to janitor the old library themselves.
- He janitored the block of flats for years.
American English
- The company outsources to janitor the office buildings.
- He janitored the high school for a decade.
adjective
British English
- He took a janitorial position at the hospital.
- Janitorial supplies are kept in the basement.
American English
- She works for a janitorial service company.
- The janitorial staff starts work at 5 PM.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The janitor cleans our classroom every day.
- I saw the janitor in the hallway.
- Please report the leaky tap to the janitor.
- The school janitor is very friendly and helpful.
- The janitorial staff went on strike for better wages.
- His first job was as a night janitor in a downtown office tower.
- The role of the modern janitor has expanded to include basic maintenance and security tasks.
- Societal perceptions of janitorial work often fail to acknowledge its essential nature.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: "JANITOR cleans the JAN-U-ary mess after the New Year's party."
Conceptual Metaphor
GUARDIAN OF CLEANLINESS (The janitor "guards" the building's cleanliness and order).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation to "дворник" (yard-sweeper, more specific). A closer equivalent is "уборщик/уборщица" or "технический служащий".
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: "He is a janitor of the park." (Use "groundskeeper" or "park keeper"). Correct: "He is the school janitor."
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'janitor' MOST commonly used in British English?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In American English, they are largely synonymous. 'Custodian' can sound slightly more formal or imply broader responsibility for the building itself.
Yes, it is a standard, neutral occupational title. Using 'sanitation worker', 'custodian', or 'facilities technician' can be perceived as more formal or respectful in certain contexts.
Yes, 'janitor' is gender-neutral. The historically feminine form 'janitress' is obsolete and should be avoided.
No, while cleaning is primary, duties often include minor repairs (changing light bulbs), security checks, snow removal, and setting up rooms for events.
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