worker
8 synonyms and 8 antonyms for worker, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A person who performs labor, especially for pay.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use worker
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From "work" plus the suffix "-er," denoting someone who does the action. It gradually replaced the older word "wright."
Full origin of worker →Frequently asked questions
What does “worker” mean?
The word “worker” means a person who performs labor, especially for pay. In plain terms, someone (or, in insects, something) that does labor.
How do you pronounce “worker”?
“Worker” is pronounced WUR-kuh (/ˈwɝ.kɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “worker” in a sentence?
Here is “worker” used in a sentence: “The factory employs over two hundred workers.”
What is another word for “worker”?
Words with a similar meaning to “worker” include proletarian.
What is the opposite of “worker”?
The opposite of “worker” — its antonyms — are boss, chief, director, employer and leader.
What part of speech is “worker”?
“Worker” is a noun.
Is “worker” a common word?
“Worker” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “worker” have?
“Worker” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who performs labor, especially for pay.
What is the difference between a worker and an employee?
Every employee is a worker, but not every worker is an employee. 'Worker' is the broad term for anyone who does labour, including freelancers, contractors, and the self-employed. 'Employee' is narrower, describing someone hired under a contract of employment with a single employer, usually with greater rights and benefits.
What are the different types of workers?
Workers can be grouped in many ways: by hours (full-time or part-time), by contract (permanent, temporary, freelance, or agency), and by the nature of the job (manual, skilled, clerical, or professional). Terms like blue-collar and white-collar also distinguish hands-on labour from office-based work.
What is an example of a worker?
Almost anyone who performs labour for pay is a worker: a factory operative, a nurse, a builder, a shop assistant, a software developer, or a farmhand. The word applies across every industry and skill level, from entry-level roles to highly trained specialists, wherever effort is exchanged for wages.