The invention discloses a preparation method for an ether water-retaining thixotropic type polycarboxylic acid water-reducing agent. The method comprises the following steps: (1) performing a primaryesterification reaction; (2) performing a secondary esterification reaction; (3) performing monomer mixing; (4) performing a copolymerization reaction; and (5) performing a neutralization reaction. According to the preparation method disclosed by the invention, the molecular structure of the water reducing agent prepared by the preparation method contains a cellulose ether structure and a benzenering structure, and introduction of the benzene ring structure increases a steric hindrance effect and improves a water reducing rate of the product; and according to the preparation method disclosedby the invention, the cellulose ether structure is introduced into the molecular structure of the water reducing agent, so that when the ether water-retaining thixotropic type polycarboxylic acid water-reducing agent is applied to concrete, viscosity of the concrete can be adjusted, water-retaining performance and thixotropy of the concrete can be improved, a thickness of a laitance layer of the concrete can be effectively reduced, and construction efficiency and engineering quality of the concrete can be improved.