janitor

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "janitor" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as a noun or a verb to refer to someone who cleans and maintains buildings. Example sentence: The janitor cleaned the hallways of the school every night.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Tonight the janitor was here to register the amount of hot water used this month," she wrote.

The Guardian

Dear leaders, I address you as "leaders" because, for some reason (perhaps manager comes too close to rhyming with janitor for your liking), you've increasingly taken to styling yourselves in this way.

The Guardian

A lot of the humour here is the face of the observer, the janitor showing McNulty and Bunk around.

The Guardian

After military service during the second world war, he returned to Brattleboro, where he worked at a service station for 25 years and then as a janitor at the local JC Penney for 17 years.

The Guardian

By the end the whizzkid is scrounging tips as a supermarket janitor, a victim either of self-doubt or of fear about where his strange powers might lead.The character and conceit might together have made a good novella.

The Economist

Mr Poitier got his break first: he took Mr Belafonte's place in a play that the latter, still employed as a janitor, missed because he had to collect his tenants' rubbish.

The Economist

H.L. Mencken made the same point more crisply in a critique of Veblen in 1919: "Do I prefer kissing a pretty girl to kissing a charwoman because even a janitor may kiss a charwoman or because the pretty girl looks better, smells better and kisses better?"Yet rather than abandoning status anxiety, the way the rich seek to display status may simply be getting more complex.

The Economist

If you are a Latino janitor cleaning offices at Cisco or Sun, the chances are that you live in a single-family house with two dozen other people.

The Economist

The janitor, having no money for the dinner that a proper date would have included, went on his own to see "Home is the Hunter", a play about black servicemen returning to America after the war.

The Economist

He finds an ex-money manager working at Starbucks, a training manager at a manufacturing firm who now works as a janitor, and so on.

The Economist

He thanked supporters both powerless (a janitor with a wheelchair-bound wife) and omnipotent (God).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a "janitor", be specific about their responsibilities to provide a clearer picture of their role. For example, instead of just stating "the janitor", specify "the school janitor" or "the office building janitor".

Common error

Avoid assuming that all "janitors" have the same duties. The responsibilities can vary widely based on the type of building and the specific job description. Some may focus solely on cleaning, while others handle minor repairs and maintenance.

Linguistic Context

The word "janitor" functions primarily as a noun, designating a person responsible for cleaning and maintaining a building. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct, consistent with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Encyclopedias

35%

Science

27%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "janitor" is a common and grammatically correct noun used to describe someone who maintains and cleans a building. As Ludwig AI states, this word is widely acceptable. Analysis of numerous examples reveals that while the term is neutral in tone, it’s frequently found in News & Media and Encyclopedias, making it an important term to understand for anyone looking to improve their English writing. Consider synonyms like "custodian" or "caretaker" for subtle differences in meaning. When using the term, be specific about responsibilities to clarify the role.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

custodial worker

Focuses on the custodial aspect of the job, emphasizing cleaning and maintenance duties.

caretaker

Implies a broader responsibility for the well-being and upkeep of a property.

maintenance staff

Highlights the maintenance responsibilities associated with the position, rather than just cleaning.

building superintendent

Emphasizes the oversight role a "janitor" might have in managing a building, particularly in residential settings.

cleaner

A more general term focusing solely on the cleaning aspect of the job.

sanitation worker

Focuses on the sanitation aspect of the job, implying a concern for hygiene and public health.

facility maintenance technician

A more technical term suggesting specialized skills in maintaining building systems.

housekeeper

Often used in residential settings, it emphasizes the care and cleaning of a home or dwelling.

porter

Often associated with carrying luggage or assisting guests in a building.

groundskeeper

Focuses on maintaining the outdoor areas of a property, such as lawns and gardens.

FAQs

How to use "janitor" in a sentence?

The word "janitor" is used to describe someone who cleans and maintains a building. For example, "The "janitor" cleaned the school hallways every evening".

What can I say instead of "janitor"?

You can use alternatives like "custodian", "caretaker", or "maintenance worker" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "janitor" and "custodian"?

While often used interchangeably, "janitor" typically refers to someone who primarily cleans, whereas "custodian" may also involve light maintenance and security responsibilities.

Is "janitor" a formal or informal term?

"Janitor" is a neutral term suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, "custodian" or "maintenance personnel" may sound more professional in certain settings.