caretaker

care-tak-er · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A person employed to look after a building or property.

  2. 2.

    Temporarily holding a position until a permanent replacement is found.

  3. 3.

    A person who looks after a sick, elderly, or disabled person.

  4. 4.

    A person temporarily in charge.

Forms

plural: caretakers

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    caretaker government — a temporary government
  • •
    caretaker manager — a temporary manager, especially in sports

Related words

See also: custodian, guardian, janitor, keeper
Synonyms: custodian, guardian, janitor, keeper, superintendent

Etymology

A compound word from "care" (from Old English "caru") and "taker" (from Old Norse "taka" meaning to take). First recorded in English in the 19th century.