Definition

Noun: A woman whose job is to clean the interior of a building, such as a house or office. This role typically involves tasks like dusting, vacuuming, mopping floors, and cleaning bathrooms.

Usage

The term "cleaning woman" is a straightforward compound noun used to specify a female person employed for cleaning duties. It is often used in informal or domestic contexts. * We hired a new cleaning woman; she comes every Tuesday. * The cleaning woman finished her work before noon.

Advanced Usage

• "The cleaning woman": Used to refer to a specific, known individual in that role.
  • Please leave the key for the cleaning woman.

Variants and Related Words

• Cleaner (n): A more general and common term for a person (of any gender) who cleans.
• Charwoman / Char (n, chiefly British, dated): An old-fashioned term for a woman hired to do housework by the day or hour.
• Housecleaner (n): A person employed to clean a private home.
• Maid (n): A more general term for a female domestic worker, which can include cleaning among other duties.

Synonyms

• Domestic helper
• Housekeeper (though this can imply broader managerial duties)

Notes on Usage

The term "cleaning woman" is specific about gender. In modern, gender-neutral contexts, terms like cleaner, cleaning person, or housecleaner are often preferred. The related term "char" from the reference is now considered dated.

Noun

1. a human female employed to do housework
   • the char will clean the carpet
   • I have a woman who comes in four hours a day while I write