laundry

USAGE SUMMARY

'laundry' is a correct word in written English.
You can use it when referring to a series of tasks involved in washing and folding clothes, such as doing the laundry or taking clothes to the laundromat. For example, "I have to do my laundry this weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A small central area has shop, internet, laundry, books, snorkelling gear and regulars who gather to shoot the breeze.

The Guardian - Travel

The wooden cottages have an almost alpine feel – with a bit of Caribbean gingerbread trim – and facilities include a laundry and a pool.

The Guardian - Travel

Laundry gets us in hot water Using a lower-temperature setting on the washing machine was something that had previously not occurred to most of the families involved in the Smart Meter Challenge.

The Guardian

I can see exactly how much it costs to do something like run the lawnmower, or do a load of laundry.

The Guardian

Rather than sending the children to school, the Sisters of Nazareth sent them out to work on farms or in the home's laundry, Smith said.

The Guardian

I'm not supposed to keep a laundry list but there were six or seven things that I fell out with my mom about.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But I had no idea how much it costs to do the laundry, or run my lawnmower.

The Guardian

The mountain of laundry I had left behind suddenly seemed a long way away as I stuffed my face with lemon cake and mint tea, and took in the final rays of the pink-soaked afternoon sun filtering through the trees.

The Guardian - Travel

The best known is the Pascha centre in Cologne, a 126-room complex with its own restaurant, beauty centre, boutique, laundry, tanning salon and bistro.

The Guardian

Trigg's statement late last week that Malthouse had gone "off message" in airing the club's dirty laundry was followed today by talk of a "values-based approach", "stakeholders", "alignment" and again, "messaging", corporate jargon better left on PowerPoint slides than offered up as excuses to frustrated football fans.

The Guardian - Sport

The worst thing was wasting hours trying to get a space in the laundry room – we had four washing machines for a college of hundreds.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "laundry" to refer to clothes, be specific. For instance, instead of stating, "The laundry needs to be done," clarify by saying, "The clothes need to be washed."

Common error

Avoid using "airing dirty laundry" casually; it's best suited for situations where sensitive or scandalous information is deliberately revealed, not for minor disagreements or everyday complaints.

Linguistic Context

The word "laundry" primarily functions as a noun. As stated by Ludwig AI, it refers to the act of washing, a place for washing, or items to be washed. Examples in Ludwig show it denoting tasks (doing the laundry) or a location (laundry room).

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Travel

13%

Lifestyle

8%

Less common in

Sport

6%

Film

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "laundry" is a common noun with multiple related meanings. Ludwig AI confirms its accurate usage and highlights its versatility. Predominantly used in News & Media, Travel, and Lifestyle contexts, it refers to the act of washing clothes, the items themselves, or a place for washing. It also has a metaphorical application, denoting the revelation of private matters. While grammatically straightforward, careful attention should be paid to the intended meaning and context. Alternatives include phrases like "washing clothes" or "revealing private matters".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

washing clothes

Focuses on the act of cleaning garments.

doing the wash

A more informal way of referring to the task of washing clothes.

clothes washing

Emphasizes the process of cleaning garments.

washday chores

Highlights the routine and domestic aspect of laundry.

freshly laundered items

Focuses on the result of the laundry process.

dirty linen

Refers to soiled clothes needing to be washed, or airing private scandals.

airing dirty secrets

Metaphorically relates to revealing embarrassing or scandalous information.

family secrets revealed

Highlights the unveiling of hidden or private family information.

revealing private matters

Emphasizes the disclosure of personal and confidential issues.

personal affairs disclosed

Focuses on the act of making private matters public.

FAQs

How can I use "laundry" in a sentence?

You can use "laundry" to refer to clothes that need washing, are being washed, or have been washed. For example, "I need to do the laundry this weekend," or "Where is the laundry room?".

What's another way to say "doing the laundry"?

Alternatives include "washing clothes", "doing the wash", or "clothes washing". The best choice depends on the context.

What does it mean to "air dirty laundry"?

To "air dirty laundry" means to reveal private or scandalous information about oneself or others. A similar concept is "revealing private matters".

Is "laundry" a countable or uncountable noun?

"Laundry" can be both countable and uncountable. As an uncountable noun, it refers to the general concept of washing clothes. As a countable noun, "a laundry", it refers to a place where clothes are washed, like a laundromat.