housegirl

Young female servant

A housegirl is a female domestic servant, especially a young one.

The term is common in parts of Africa and Asia where live-in household help remains widespread: The housegirl prepared breakfast before the family woke.

In Western contexts, the word can sound dated or carry colonial undertones, with housekeeper or domestic worker preferred.

duties

cleaning

Removing dirt and mess

dustingRemoving surface grime
sweepingExtensive and far-reaching
moppingCleaning floors with water

laundry · ironing · cooking · tidying · washing · scrubbing · polishing · dishwashing · childcare · serving

occupation

maid

Household cleaning worker

servantOne employed to serve
domesticOf the home
helperOne who aids another

chambermaid · attendant · cleaner · laundress · cook · nanny · governess · childminder · caretaker · handmaid

employment

uniform

Identical throughout

wagesPayment for work
quartersAssigned living accommodations
agencyPower to act

staffing · live-in · training · duties · employer · household · accommodation · contract · placement · references

Opposites

gender of domestic worker

housegirlhouseboy

Male domestic servant

manservant · valet · man · boy · footman

status/hierarchy in household

housegirlmaster of the house

Home's primary authority figure

employer · lady of the house · homeowner · madam · householder

formality/prestige of domestic role

housegirlbutler

Chief domestic servant

head housekeeper · house manager · estate manager · majordomo · lady's maid

Family

house, girl, housework, housekeeper, housekeeping, housemaid, housekeep

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated PG