noun Uncommon

caretaker

KEH-uh-tay-kuh

Caretaker (noun) means a person employed to look after a building or property. Example: “The school caretaker unlocked the gym early for the team.”

noun

A person employed to look after a building or property.

"The school caretaker unlocked the gym early for the team."

"The old mansion had a live-in caretaker for decades."

adjective

Temporarily holding a position or role until a permanent replacement is found.

"He was named caretaker manager until a permanent coach was hired."

"The caretaker government ran the country until elections were held."

How to use caretaker

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone who looks after a building, or someone temporarily filling a role.

Common mistake

A "caretaker" usually looks after property or a temporary role, while a "caregiver" looks after a person — don't swap them.

Easily confused with

caregiver →

Common pairings

school caretaker caretaker manager caretaker government

Word forms

caretakers plural

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The school _____ unlocked the gym early for the team.

Etymology

From care + taker — literally "one who takes care" (of a place).

Rhymes for caretaker

maker baker taker laker faker Quaker shaker beaker speaker breaker tweaker sneaker

See all rhymes for caretaker →

Frequently asked questions

What does “caretaker” mean?

The word “caretaker” means a person employed to look after a building or property. In plain terms, someone who looks after a building, or someone temporarily filling a role.

How do you pronounce “caretaker”?

“Caretaker” is pronounced KEH-uh-tay-kuh (/ˈkɛɹˌteɪ.kɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “caretaker” in a sentence?

Here is “caretaker” used in a sentence: “The school caretaker unlocked the gym early for the team.”

What part of speech is “caretaker”?

Depending on how it is used, “caretaker” can be a noun and an adjective.

Is “caretaker” a common word?

“Caretaker” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “caretaker” have?

“Caretaker” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person employed to look after a building or property.