n.,pl.-wives(-ˌwaɪvzor, usu.,-ɪfsor-ɪvzfor2) 1.a married woman who manages her own household, esp. as her principal occupation. 2.Brit.a small case for sewing articles. [1175–1225] house′wif`ey,adj. usage:housewifeis regarded by some as offensive, perhaps because it ...