Definition

A woman whose job is to wash clothes for others, often in a commercial setting.

Example

The washwoman collected the dirty laundry every week.

Conversation

I heard you hired a washwoman for your laundry.

Yeah, it saves me so much time every week!

That sounds convenient, how did you find her?

A friend recommended her, and she does an amazing job.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Washwoman → It is formed from "wash" (from Old English *wascan*, meaning to cleanse with water) and "woman" (from Old English *wīfman*, meaning female human). The word "washwoman" refers to a woman who washes clothes or linens, typically as a profession.

Memory Tip

Think of a woman who 'cleanses' ('wash') clothes — that's why a washwoman is someone who washes.

Visually Confused Words