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Definition of breadwinner

breadwinner

/ˈbrɛdˌwɪn.ər/
bread · win · ner
Plural:breadwinners
•
Adjective:breadwinning
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breadwinner Lexical Profile

breadwinner Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A person who earns money to support a family or household, typically the primary or sole earner.

Example

"After her husband decided to return to university full-time, she became the primary breadwinner for the household."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

breadnut
breadstick
breadth
breadwinner
breadwinning
bready
break

Word Origin & Etymology

First recorded in the early 19th century, this compound combines 'bread' (used figuratively since Old English to mean food or livelihood in general) with 'winner' in its older sense of one who earns or gains something through labor.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Breadwinner. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/breadwinner
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