chore

noun \ ˈchȯr \

Updated on: 18 May 2018

Definition of chore

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

See chore defined for English-language learners

See chore defined for kids

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 of chore from the Web

Hitting with runners in scoring position is a very difficult chore.

— azcentral, "Missed chances add up as Diamondbacks fall to Giants," 19 Apr. 2018
However, eating in space has become much less a chore now.

— randy rieland, Smithsonian, "If Humans Want To Colonize Other Planets, We Need To Perfect Space Cuisine," 28 Mar. 2018
Expanding the range of motion to allow for something like walking is a technically difficult chore.

— michael price, Science | AAAS, "This wearable brain scanner could transform our understanding of how neurons ‘talk’," 21 Mar. 2018
Watch as colonial reenactors demonstrate daily colonial chores of tending to the kitchen and herb gardens, food preparation, cooking over the hearth, and weaving on our 300-year-old loom.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The Glastonbury Edition," 1 May 2018
The next chore is getting out of Cincinnati which normally is every bit as difficult as reaching the state semifinals in Huntington Park.

— scott springer, Cincinnati.com, "Kings baseball steals home to gain postseason momentum, a win over tough Mason team," 1 May 2018
Consistent upkeep to our homes, and the weekend-warrior chore lists, are not new concepts to most homeowners.

— melissa rolland, courant.com, "Chores To Keep Your House In Check," 24 Apr. 2018
Some good training for the dog followed by some basic training for the owner can turn a miserable dog into a contented one and the chore of caring for her into (mostly) a privilege.

— carolyn hax, Detroit Free Press, "Taking responsibility for an ‘oops’ puppy," 18 Apr. 2018
In a Cuban neighborhood setting, a young Gloria (Carmen Sanchez) is lured away from her chores by the sounds of salsa on a nearby street.

— brandon t. harden, Philly.com, "'On Your Feet!': A sizzling celebration of Latin-American music and dance," 12 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'chore.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of chore

alteration of chare

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1746

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

chore Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of 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

CHORE Defined for English Language Learners

chore

noun

Definition of chore for English Language Learners

: a small job that is done regularly
: a dull, unpleasant, or difficult job or experience

CHORE Defined for Kids

chore

noun \ ˈchȯr \

Definition of chore for Students

1 : a small job that is done regularly

a household chore

Milking the cows is one of my chores on the farm.

2 : a dull, unpleasant, or difficult task

Washing windows is such a chore.

Learn More about chore

See words that rhyme with chore Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for chore Spanish Central: Translation of chore Nglish: Translation of chore for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of chore for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up chore? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

chore

Definition of chore

Examples of chore in a Sentence

Recent Examples of chore from the Web

Origin and Etymology of chore

chore Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Synonym Discussion of chore

CHORE Defined for English Language Learners

chore

Definition of chore for English Language Learners

CHORE Defined for Kids

chore

Definition of chore for Students

Learn More about chore

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

May 2018 Words of the Day Quiz

12 Words from All Over the Map

'Ingenious' and 'Ingenuous': More Than a Typo

Trending: Melania Trump Undergoes 'Embolization'

Ghost Word