Engineer — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˌen-jə-ˈnir/ en·gi·neer

Meaning & Definition of Engineer

Engineer (noun)

  1. a member of a military group devoted to engineering work
  2. a crafty schemer, plotter
  3. a designer or builder of engines

Engineer (verb)

  1. to lay out, construct, or manage as an engineer
  2. to contrive or plan out usually with more or less subtle skill and craft
  3. to guide the course of

Engineer (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a person who designs and guides a plan or undertaking

    "the engineer of a movement to eradicate hunger"

    similar: architect, mastermind
    related: builder, maker, producer, captain, commander, director, handler, leader, manager, quarterback, contriver, designer, formulator, originator, spawner, arranger, hatcher, organizer, planner, plotter, schemer, finagler, machinator, maneuverer, developer, generator, inaugurator, initiator, inspirer, instituter, pioneer

Engineer (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to plan out usually with subtle skill or care

    "the mayor engineered an agreement to have a major league team play in our city"

    similar: contrive, finagle, finesse, frame, machinate, maneuver, manipulate, mastermind, negotiate, wangle
    related: arrange, concert, conclude, hammer out, work out, angle (for), compass, intrigue, plot, scheme, connive, brew, concoct, cook (up), hatch, captain, command, conduct, direct, handle, manage, quarterback, run, gerrymander
    near: blow, bobble, botch, bungle, butcher, flub, fumble, gum (up), louse up, mangle, mess (up), mishandle, muff

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Engineer

The most common words with a similar meaning to Engineer:

architect, mastermind, contrive, finagle, finesse, frame, machinate, maneuver, manipulate, negotiate, wangle

Related Words for Engineer

builder, maker, producer, captain, commander, director, handler, leader, manager, quarterback, contriver, designer, formulator, originator, spawner, arranger, hatcher, organizer, planner, plotter, schemer, finagler, machinator, maneuverer, developer, generator, inaugurator, initiator, inspirer, instituter

Near Antonyms of Engineer

blow, bobble, botch, bungle, butcher, flub, fumble, gum (up), louse up, mangle, mess (up), mishandle, muff

Word Forms of Engineer

Inflections: engineered, engineering, engineers

Origin & Etymology of Engineer

Middle English engineour, from Anglo-French, from enginer to devise, construct, from engin

First known use: 1551

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Engineer

Words & Phrases Containing Engineer

civil engineer, flight engineer, reverse engineer, biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, genetic engineering, industrial engineering

Frequently Asked Questions about Engineer

What does "Engineer" mean?

"Engineer" means a member of a military group devoted to engineering work. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a member of a military group devoted to engineering work. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Engineer"?

Other words for "Engineer" include architect, mastermind, contrive, finagle, finesse, frame, machinate and maneuver. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Engineer" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Engineer"?

There are 64 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Engineer". Common alternatives include architect, mastermind, contrive, finagle, finesse, frame, machinate, maneuver, manipulate and negotiate.

How do you use "Engineer" in a sentence?

Examples of "Engineer" in a sentence: "the engineer of a movement to eradicate hunger"; "the mayor engineered an agreement to have a major league team play in our city".

Is "Engineer" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Engineer" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Engineer" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A2-level word, "Engineer" is typical of Cambridge A2 Key (KET), PTE Academic 30–42, TOEIC Listening & Reading 225+.

How do you pronounce "Engineer"?

"Engineer" is pronounced /ˌen-jə-ˈnir/ and divided into syllables as en·gi·neer.

What is the origin of the word "Engineer"?

"Engineer" comes from Middle English engineour, from Anglo-French, from enginer to devise, construct, from engin. First known use: 1551.