Words / B1

KAIRT-ayk-uh/ˈkeəteɪkə/

A caretaker looks after a building (a school caretaker). In sport and politics, a caretaker manager / PM is temporary. Janitor is more US; site manager is a modern UK twin. Exams: ask the caretaker to unlock the hall at eight.

Meaning

A person who looks after a building; also someone in a job only for a short time (a caretaker manager).

Examples

• “Ask the caretaker to unlock the exam hall at eight.”
• “A caretaker manager lasts until a permanent appointment, which is the temporary sense.”

Good to know

a school caretaker. Temporary post: a caretaker manager. US: janitor. Mix-up: carer (looks after a person). Schools / football. Countable.

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