employer
ihm-PLOY-uh
Employer (noun) means a person, company, or organization that pays others to work for them. Example: “My employer lets us work from home on Fridays.”
noun
1
A person, company, or organization that pays others to work for them.
"My employer lets us work from home on Fridays."
"Her employer offered her a promotion after the successful project."
"The company is one of the largest employers in the region."
How to use employer
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe company or person that hires and pays workers.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
current employer
prospective employer
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like employer.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- employers
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
My _____ lets us work from home on Fridays.
Etymology
From employ + -er, first attested in the late 1500s.
Class of 1500
employer joined the language around 1500.
See the full Class of 1500 →
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for employer
See all rhymes for employer →Frequently asked questions
What does “employer” mean?
The word “employer” means a person, company, or organization that pays others to work for them. In plain terms, the company or person that hires and pays workers.
How do you pronounce “employer”?
“Employer” is pronounced ihm-PLOY-uh (/ɪmˈplɔɪ.ɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “employer” in a sentence?
Here is “employer” used in a sentence: “Her employer offered her a promotion after the successful project.”
What part of speech is “employer”?
“Employer” is a noun.
Where does the word “employer” come from?
The word “employer” dates back to around 1500. From employ + -er, first attested in the late 1500s.
Is “employer” a common word?
“Employer” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between an employer and an employee?
An employer is the person, company, or organization that pays others to work for them, while an employee is the person hired to do that work. The employer provides the job and wages; the employee provides the labour.
What is the difference between an employer and a contractor?
An employer hires and pays employees who work under its direction, while an independent contractor is self-employed and taken on for specific work without becoming an employee. The distinction affects tax, benefits, and legal responsibilities.
What is the difference between an employer and a manager?
An employer is the person or organization that legally hires and pays staff, while a manager is usually an employee who supervises others on the employer's behalf. A manager can direct your work without being your employer.
What are common collocations with "employer"?
Common phrases include "current employer," "former employer," "prospective employer," and "equal-opportunity employer." The word appears often on job applications and reference requests.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include employer:
