laundry

laundry — noun

1. items of clothing, sheets, and towels that need to be washed or have just been w

1.nounA2
Definition

items of clothing, sheets, and towels that need to be washed or have just been washed

Example

The laundry basket was full, so Amira started the washing machine.

cause + effect: laundry basket full → start washing machine

Paloma does the laundry every Sunday morning before lunch.

do the laundry — common collocation for the washing task

Common collocations
  • do the laundry
  • do your laundry
  • dirty laundry
  • clean laundry
  • laundry basket
  • laundry bag
  • laundry room
  • pile of laundry
  • put the laundry out
  • fold the laundry
Synonyms
  • washing

    focuses on the activity or process rather than the items themselves; 'do the washing' is more common in British English

  • dirty clothes

    only refers to unwashed items, not clean laundry that has been washed

Grammar Patterns

no plural form

Usage Note

Uncountable noun — you cannot say 'a laundry' to mean dirty clothes. The phrases 'do the laundry' or 'do your laundry' describe the activity of washing clothes.

Common Mistakes

I need to wash a laundry.
I need to do the laundry.
'laundry' is uncountable in this sense and pairs with 'do', not 'wash'.

2. a place of business where customers pay to have their clothing, sheets, and othe

2.nounB1
Definition

a place of business where customers pay to have their clothing, sheets, and other fabric items washed and ironed

Example

Hugo took his suits to the laundry near his office.

take [items] to the laundry

The laundry on Main Street washes all the hotel sheets before noon.

Common collocations
  • at the laundry
  • to the laundry
  • from the laundry
  • run a laundry
  • work at a laundry
  • laundry service
  • laundry worker
  • commercial laundry
  • hospital laundry
Synonyms
  • launderette

    self-service coin-operated washing machines, not a full-service business; more common in British English

  • laundromat

    American term for self-service coin-operated washing machines

  • dry cleaner's

    specialises in dry-cleaning delicate fabrics rather than regular washing

Grammar Patterns

a/an + laundry

the + laundry

[number] + laundries

Usage Note

A countable noun — you can say 'a laundry' (one business) or 'laundries' (multiple). Distinguished from 'launderette' or 'laundromat', which are self-service coin-operated washing facilities.

Common Mistakes

I left my clothes at the laundromat for them to wash.
I left my clothes at the laundry for them to wash.
'laundromat' is self-service; 'laundry' provides a full washing service.
Idioms

air your dirty laundry in public

idiom

to discuss personal, private, or embarrassing matters where other people can hear or know about them, especially when this causes shame or conflict

Erik refuses to air his dirty laundry in public during family dinners.

Lakshmi told her brother not to wash their dirty laundry in front of the neighbours.

air/wash your dirty laundry/linen in public

idiom

To talk about private or embarrassing matters where other people can hear.

Maya refused to air her family's dirty laundry in public.

Why did you wash your dirty linen in public at the party?

Word family

  • launder
    verbC1
  • launderette
    nounB2
  • laundromat
    nounB2
  • launderer
    nounC1
  • laundering
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All three relate to clothes that need cleaning, but they differ in scope and use. 'Laundry' is the broadest term — it covers both dirty and clean items and strongly pairs with 'do' ('do the laundry'). 'Washing' focuses more on the action: 'do the washing' is common in British English but sounds odd for the items themselves ('the washing is on the bed'). 'Dirty clothes' is narrower — it only refers to unwashed items, not the clean ones. 'Linen' overlaps in hotel contexts ('hotel laundry' often means sheets and towels), but in everyday use it refers specifically to bed sheets and tablecloths. For a learner, 'laundry' is the safest choice for general use. Example: 'I did the laundry this morning' works everywhere; 'I did the dirty clothes this morning' sounds strange.

washing ↗dirty clotheslinen ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • laundry basket
  • laundry bag
  • laundry room
  • laundry service
  • laundry worker

Phrases

  • do the laundry
  • do your laundry
  • pile of laundry
  • load of laundry

Prepositions

  • in the laundry
  • at the laundry
  • from the laundry
  • to the laundry

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

The word 'laundry' comes from Old French 'lavanderie', meaning a place for washing, which itself comes from Latin 'lavare' (to wash). Originally it referred to the place where washing was done; later the meaning extended to cover the items being washed. The sense of 'dirty clothes waiting to be washed' appeared in the early 20th century.