workman
WURK-muhn
Workman (noun) means a man who does manual labor, especially skilled labor, for wages. Example: “A workman was repairing the roof tiles.”
noun
1
A man who does manual labor, especially skilled labor, for wages.
"He laid the foundation stone on August 1 1847, and then set around 2,000 workmen loose on the undertaking. The station opened exactly one year later on August 1 1848."
— Stephen Roberts, Stories and facts behind railway plaques: Chester (1848) (2021)
"A workman was repairing the roof tiles."
2
A skilled craftsman or artisan.
"He was known as a fine workman with wood."
How to use workman
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA man who does manual or skilled labor.
When to use it
Somewhat dated and gendered; "worker" or "tradesperson" is now more common in general use.
Common pairings
a skilled workman
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Word forms
- Plural
- workmen
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A _____ was repairing the roof tiles.
Etymology
From Old English "weorcmann," literally "work man."
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “workman” mean?
The word “workman” means a man who does manual labor, especially skilled labor, for wages. In plain terms, a man who does manual or skilled labor.
How do you pronounce “workman”?
“Workman” is pronounced WURK-muhn (/ˈwɝkmən/ in IPA).
How do you use “workman” in a sentence?
Here is “workman” used in a sentence: “A workman was repairing the roof tiles.”
What part of speech is “workman”?
“Workman” is a noun.
Where does the word “workman” come from?
The word “workman” comes from Old English. From Old English "weorcmann," literally "work man.".
How many meanings does “workman” have?
“Workman” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a man who does manual labor, especially skilled labor, for wages.
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