employee
ehm-ploy-EE
Employee (noun) means a person who is paid to work for a company or another person. Example: “The company offers health insurance to all full-time employees.”
noun
1
A person who is paid to work for a company or another person.
"One way to encourage your employees to work harder is by giving them incentives."
"The company offers health insurance to all full-time employees."
"New employees go through a week of training."
"She has been an employee at the bakery since she left school."
How to use employee
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who works for and is paid by an employer.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
full-time employee
former employee
employee benefits
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Word forms
- Plural
- employees
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The company offers health insurance to all full-time _____.
Etymology
From employ + -ee, a suffix marking the person to whom an action is done; first used in the early 1800s, likely influenced by the French employé.
Class of 1800
employee joined the language around 1800.
See the full Class of 1800 →
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for employee
See all rhymes for employee →Frequently asked questions
What does “employee” mean?
The word “employee” means a person who is paid to work for a company or another person. In plain terms, someone who works for and is paid by an employer.
How do you pronounce “employee”?
“Employee” is pronounced ehm-ploy-EE (/ˌɛm.plɔɪˈiː/ in IPA).
How do you use “employee” in a sentence?
Here is “employee” used in a sentence: “The company offers health insurance to all full-time employees.”
What part of speech is “employee”?
“Employee” is a noun.
Where does the word “employee” come from?
The word “employee” dates back to around 1800 and comes from French. From employ + -ee, a suffix marking the person to whom an action is done; first used in the early 1800s, likely influenced by the French employé.
Is “employee” a common word?
“Employee” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between an employee and an employer?
An employee is a person paid to work for someone else. An employer is the company or person who hires them, pays their wages, and directs their work. The relationship is two-sided: the employer provides the job and payment, while the employee provides the labour. One word names the worker, the other the boss.
What is the difference between an employee and a contractor?
An employee works for one employer under its direction, usually with a regular wage, set hours, and benefits like paid leave. A contractor is self-employed, hired for specific work, and controls how they do it, often for several clients. The distinction affects tax, rights, and legal responsibilities in most countries.
What rights do employees have?
Employee rights vary by country, but commonly include a minimum wage, limits on working hours, paid holiday, and protection from unfair dismissal and discrimination. Employees often receive benefits such as sick pay and pension contributions. These protections are usually stronger than those given to self-employed contractors or freelancers.
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