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domestic

domestic

14 5.8
A person who works in a home doing cleaning and cooking
  • noun
  • /dəˈmɛstɪk/
  • UK
translation icon : empleado doméstico
  • There was a fifth plaintiff, Jeanette Reese, but she worked as a domestic for a woman married to a police officer.

Examples

  • Well, my mum went to work in the morning as a domestic cleaner and the royal and family and I had to go to school.

  • "The servant's costume, especially her cap with its two streamers, seems to signal her status as a domestic with particular charge of the infant.

    Academic text (1994)
  • At the present time, I work as a domestic in the home of a white family.

    Academic text (1994)
  • Many governments do not recognize domestic workers as workers.

  • She has been working as a domestic in that household for over five years, helping with cleaning and cooking.

  • The organization advocates for the rights of domestic workers to ensure they receive fair treatment and pay.

  • Many domestic servants face challenges, including long hours and low wages, while performing their duties.

Synonyms

servant
vsdomestic
422 1.0

A person who works in someone's home doing jobs like cooking and cleaning

is the more specific everyday term for home task workers
cook
vsdomestic
356 1.0

A person who prepares food at home or at work

is the general home worker term that includes cooking but not only that
maid
vsdomestic
264 1.0

A woman paid to clean and cook in another person's home

is a neutral label for the same job without specifying gender
housekeeper
vsdomestic
110 1.1

A person who manages household chores and keeps the home clean

is a general worker term not focused on management duties
chambermaid
vsdomestic
11 5.3

A hotel worker who cleans and tidies guest bedrooms

is the general home worker term not limited to bedroom care
manservant
vsdomestic
  • Archaic
11 7.4

A man who works in someone's house doing jobs like cleaning and helping with meals

is the neutral term that applies to any gender working in a home
houseboy
vsdomestic
  • Archaic
11 7.3

A young man who does cleaning, serving, and errands in a private home

is the neutral adult-focused term for the same household role
housemaid
vsdomestic
8 2.4

A woman paid to clean and do other jobs in a home

is the gender-neutral term used for that employed home worker
retainer
vsdomestic
  • Archaic
8 7.0

A person who works for a family in the home, often as a servant

is the plain term for an employed home worker without formal or historic tone
servant girl
vsdomestic
  • Archaic
7 3.5

A young woman who works in a house to help with chores

is the neutral adult-focused term for the employed home worker
footman
vsdomestic
  • Archaic
7 8.9

A man who works in a large house, greeting visitors and serving meals

is the neutral term for a home worker who mainly cleans or cooks
cleaning woman
vsdomestic
6 1.3

A woman who is paid to clean houses or offices regularly

is the general paid home worker term covering cleaning plus other tasks
scullion
vsdomestic
  • Archaic
4 9.9

A kitchen worker who does dirty, simple jobs like washing dishes

is the broader term for any employed home worker beyond menial kitchen work
lady's maid
vsdomestic
  • Archaic
3 8.6

A woman who works as a servant to help another woman get dressed and look tidy

is the neutral home worker term not focused on personal assistance
maidservant
vsdomestic
  • Archaic
3 7.1

A woman who works in a home doing cleaning and cooking

is the everyday term not stressing the worker's gender or title
house servant
vsdomestic
1 2.3

A person who works in a home doing cleaning, cooking and other daily tasks

is the more common neutral word for that same job
serving girl
vsdomestic
  • Archaic
1 5.1

A girl or young woman who works in a home doing chores

is the neutral term for any paid home worker regardless of age
kitchen maid
vsdomestic
  • Archaic
1 3.2

A woman who helps cook and clean in the kitchen of a large house

is the general home worker term that covers all rooms and tasks
domestic help
vsdomestic
1 2.6

A person paid to clean and cook in a home

is the general term used for that employed home worker
body servant
vsdomestic
1 9.4

A person who helps someone dress and bathe every day

is the neutral home worker term for general household tasks not personal care
parlormaid
vsdomestic
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A woman who works in a home cleaning and serving guests in the front rooms

is the neutral term for a home worker not limited to parlor duties
houseworker
vsdomestic
2.5

A person who cleans, cooks, or does other work in a home

refers specifically to an employed home worker rather than family help
pantrywoman
vsdomestic
  • Archaic
9.9

A woman servant who takes care of the wine and plates in a large house

is the general term for an employed home worker not a senior specialist
servingman
vsdomestic
  • Archaic
9.9

A man who works in a home to serve and help people

is the modern neutral term used for that worker now
housecarl
vsdomestic
  • Archaic
9.9

A servant who works in a lord's home doing daily chores in medieval times

is the neutral modern term for a household worker not a historic title
slavey
vsdomestic
  • Offensive
9.9

Old word for a woman who does hard, low-paid housework like cleaning and carrying luggage

is the neutral modern word that lacks the negative or dated tone

Antonyms

791 2.7

A person or company that hires people to work for them

Compounds

domestic violence
  • Offensive
142 3.5

Violent or abusive behavior at home by someone you live with

24 3.5

The total value of goods and services produced in a country in a year

domestic terrorism
  • Offensive
16 7.1

Violent acts that try to scare people or force a government in the same country for political reasons

A plane trip within the same country that does not cross borders

A person you live with in a long-term romantic relationship but are not married to

An animal that people keep and breed to live with them like a cow or dog

3 1.0

A small furry animal people keep as a pet that often catches mice

1 1.0

A dog people keep as a pet or to do work

A person paid to clean and cook in a home

1 4.8

School subject that teaches cooking, cleaning, sewing, and how to run a home

A pigeon kept and raised by people for food, racing, or as a pet

A court that deals with family matters like custody, divorce, and child support

A court that deals with family problems like divorce, child custody, and support

A farm animal kept for its wool, meat, or skin

A small moth that people breed to make silk

A strong animal with long ears that people use to carry loads on farms

A large freshwater fish kept for food or as decoration, like koi

Birds like chickens and ducks that people keep for eggs or meat

A farm animal kept for milk, meat, or wool

A South American animal kept on farms to carry loads and give wool

9.9

A priest given an honorary role in the Pope's household with special rights

How Skilled

supervisor
346 2.8
domestic
  • UK
14 5.8
helper
79 1.0

Surface Forms

domestic singular
domestics plural

Morphology

domestic = domest + ic

The noun 'a domestic' (household servant) is derived from the adjective 'domestic' meaning 'of the household', but the specialised occupational sense may not be fully predictable for all learners.

Etymology

Domestic comes from the Latin domus, 'house', and long ago it could mean a person 'of the house' who worked for the family. So a domestic can mean a household worker who does jobs like cleaning and cooking.