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noun

tradesman

Tradesman (noun) means a person skilled in a manual craft or trade, such as a plumber, electrician, or carpenter. Example: “They called in a tradesman to fix the leaking pipe.”

noun
1
A person skilled in a manual craft or trade, such as a plumber, electrician, or carpenter.
"They called in a tradesman to fix the leaking pipe."
"She trained as a tradesman before starting her own building firm."
2
A shopkeeper or merchant who runs a trade or business.
"The tradesman kept his shop open late on Fridays."

How to Use Tradesman

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone who works with their hands in a skilled trade, or someone who runs a shop.

When to use it

Traditionally used for men; increasingly people prefer "tradesperson" or "tradie" (informal, chiefly Australian/British) as gender-neutral options.

Common pairings
a skilled tradesman call a tradesman local tradesman

Word Forms

tradesmen plural

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They called in a _____ to fix the leaking pipe.

Etymology

From trade + the suffix -s-man, following the same pattern as "craftsman" or "workman."

Antonyms

Rhymes for tradesman

See all rhymes for tradesman →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “tradesman” mean?

The word “tradesman” means a person skilled in a manual craft or trade, such as a plumber, electrician, or carpenter. In plain terms, someone who works with their hands in a skilled trade, or someone who runs a shop.

How do you use “tradesman” in a sentence?

Here is “tradesman” used in a sentence: “They called in a tradesman to fix the leaking pipe.”

What is the opposite of “tradesman”?

The opposite of “tradesman” — its antonyms — is tradeswoman.

What part of speech is “tradesman”?

“Tradesman” is a noun.

How many meanings does “tradesman” have?

“Tradesman” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person skilled in a manual craft or trade, such as a plumber, electrician, or carpenter.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial