Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

a woman's work is never done

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: 4.13 in modern English

Syllables: a -wom-an's -work is n-ev-er -done
IPA

38

Scrabble Score

22

Letters

7

Syllables

12

Unique Chars

Meaning

proverb

Housework, which is generally considered women's work, is never finished.

proverb

Women generally work long and hard, especially as they often are responsible for housework and care roles in addition to paid work.

Example Sentences

""Six o'clock, and working still! […] They say a woman's work is never done," remarked Ik Stanton, dropping into the easiest chair in the studio, "and for this reason, were there no other, your muse is evidently of the feminine persuasion.""
"As Professor Myerhoff writes: "The adage 'A woman's work is never done' calls attention to the continuity of woman's tasks on a daily basis.""
"According to the old maxim, a woman’s work is never done. It certainly never counts, a least not by the economic formulae that figure out the wealth of a nation."
"They say a woman’s work is never done. If certain Brexiteers have their way, that might be truer than ever. […] [A] no-deal Brexit would mean a disastrous shortfall in care staff, which would force women out of the office and into unpaid social care roles, looking after elderly parents."

Etymology

From a traditional rhyming couplet, found in at least two forms: : Man works till set of sun, : Woman's work is never done. : From rise of morn to set of sun : Woman's work is never done.

Phrases

double day it's a man's world one hair of a woman can draw more than a hundred pair of oxen

Frequently Paired Words

double day it's a man's world one hair of a woman can draw more than a hundred pair of oxen

Questions

What does a woman's work is never done mean?: Housework, which is generally considered women's work, is never finished.
Where does a woman's work is never done come from?: From a traditional rhyming couplet, found in at least two forms: : Man works till set of sun, : Woman's work is never done. : From rise of morn to set of sun : Woman's work is never done.

How to pronounce a woman's work is never done

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