chore

noun

1
chores plural : the regular or daily light work of a household or farm
2
: a routine task or job
The children were each assigned household chores.
3
: a difficult or disagreeable task
doing taxes can be a real chore
Choose the Right Synonym for chore

task, duty, job, chore, stint, assignment mean a piece of work to be done.

task implies work imposed by a person in authority or an employer or by circumstance.

charged with a variety of tasks

duty implies an obligation to perform or responsibility for performance.

the duties of a lifeguard

job applies to a piece of work voluntarily performed; it may sometimes suggest difficulty or importance.

the job of turning the company around

chore implies a minor routine activity necessary for maintaining a household or farm.

every child was assigned chores

stint implies a carefully allotted or measured quantity of assigned work or service.

a 2-month stint as a reporter

assignment implies a definite limited task assigned by one in authority.

a reporter's assignment

Examples of chore in a Sentence

The children were each assigned different household chores. I liked the simple chore of bringing in the firewood. Doing taxes can be a real chore. That movie is a chore to sit through.
Recent Examples on the Web New technologies made chores easier, freeing up couples’ time, and growing wages gave people more disposable income. Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 19 Mar. 2024 Then talk about who does and doesn’t mind each chore, what aligns with whose interests and talents, who is realistically available, who can knock them out while enjoying some pleasant something else, like music, TV, calls. Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2024 However, bringing peace to a contentious boardroom likely will be the first chore for that new controlling owner, if one can be found. Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2024 Give him chores to do at home, and resist doing everything for him. Harriette Cole, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2024 Revenge scrolling or bedtime procrastination behaviors can also cause procrastination in other situations, like avoiding homework or household chores. Dominique Fluker, Essence, 7 Mar. 2024 Some consider the extra day in February a gift, with extra time to tackle the growing list of chores and tasks that never seem to be prioritized. Marina Johnson, The Indianapolis Star, 29 Feb. 2024 Forget reading or responding; even just finding those messages amid the junk can be a chore. Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 4 Mar. 2024 For the vast majority of Americans, snow shoveling remains an often mundane chore that does not pose any serious health risks. Omer Awan, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'chore.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

alteration of chare

First Known Use

1746, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of chore was in 1746

Dictionary Entries Near chore

Cite this Entry

“Chore.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chore. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

chore

noun
ˈchō(ə)r How to pronounce chore (audio)
ˈchȯ(ə)r
1
plural : the regular light work of a household or farm
2
: an ordinary task
3
: a dull, unpleasant, or difficult task

More from Merriam-Webster on chore

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