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Meaning & use

chores

noun·Everyday

Last updated

UK/tʃɔːz/
US/tʃɔːrz/

“chores” is a form of “chore”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Meanings

  1. nouncountable

    Small, routine jobs that need doing regularly, especially around the home.

    Grammar: Plural for tasks in general; one task is a chore.

    Patterns

    • do the chores
    • share the chores

    The kids take turns doing the household chores every Saturday morning.

    We split the chores so nobody has to do everything.

    He finished his chores before going out to play.

  2. nouncountable

    Tasks that feel boring, tiring or unpleasant but still have to be done.

    Grammar: Often used with an adjective like tedious or daily: the daily chores of life.

    Patterns

    • a tedious chore
    • the chores of something

    Filling in tax forms is one of life's most tedious chores.

    For her, driving to work every day felt like one of the endless chores.

    Paperwork can turn a fun job into a heap of chores.

Word forms

singularchore

Common combinations

do the chores
I do the chores before dinner.
household chores
Household chores include washing dishes and taking out the trash.
daily chores
Daily chores keep the farm running.
divide the chores
They divided the chores fairly between the roommates.
chore chart
A chore chart on the fridge shows who does what.
a tedious chore
Ironing is a tedious chore.

Synonyms and how they differ

housework
Housework is uncountable and refers only to cleaning and tidying at home, while chores can include any routine job.
tasks
Tasks is neutral and can mean any piece of work, whereas chores suggests dull routine.
errands
Errands are short trips outside the home to do or collect something, unlike chores, which are mostly done in place.
duties
Duties sounds more formal and responsible, often tied to a role or job.

Opposites

treatspleasures

Word family

chore noun
one routine job
chore chart noun
a list showing who does which household job
housework noun
cleaning and tidying done at home
errand noun
a short trip to do a small task

Commonly confused: chores or errands?

chores vs errands

Errands are trips outside to do small tasks like posting a parcel, while chores are mostly regular jobs done around the home.

Practice

The kids take turns doing the household ___ every Saturday morning.

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