Worker — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈwər-kər/ work·er

Meaning & Definition of Worker

Worker (noun)

  1. one that works especially at manual or industrial labor or with a particular material —often used in combination
  2. a member of the working class
  3. any of the sexually underdeveloped and usually sterile members of a colony of social ants, bees, wasps, or termites that perform most of the labor and protective duties of the colony

Worker (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a person who does very hard or dull work

    "a champion of the rights of the farm workers who pick the nation's fruits and vegetables"

    similar: dogsbody (chiefly British), drone, drudge, drudger, foot soldier, grub, grubber, grunt, laborer, peon, plugger, slave, slogger, toiler
    related: workhorse, serf
    near: goldbrick, shirker, idler, lazybones, loafer, slouch, slug, sluggard

  2. one who works for another for wages or a salary

    "a factory owner who is known for his fair and generous treatment of his workers"

    similar: employee, hand, hireling, jobholder, retainer
    related: assistant, cog, flunky, subordinate, underling, yes-man, drudge, gandy dancer, grub, hack, jobber, laborer, navvy (chiefly British), toiler, nine-to-fiver, wage earner, wage slave, wageworker, workingman, workingwoman, workman, workwoman, associate, colleague, coworker, temp, temporary
    opposite: employer, gaffer (British)
    near: boss, superior, supervisor

Related Entry: Sex worker (noun)

Sex worker is a different word from Worker. The synonyms below are for sex worker, not for worker.

  1. a woman who engages in sexual activities for money

    "a group that serves as an advocate for the health and welfare of sex workers"

    similar: bawd (old-fashioned), call girl, cocotte, courtesan, drab, hooker (informal + disapproving), hustler, prostitute, streetwalker, tart (informal + disapproving), woman of the street (disparaging)
    related: madam, madame, chippie (slang, disapproving), doxy (old-fashioned, disapproving), floozy, tramp (disparaging), hussy, jade, minx, coquette, flirt, libertine, siren, tempter, temptress, vamp

Related Entry: Field-worker (noun)

Field-worker is a different word from Worker. The synonyms below are for field-worker, not for worker.

  1. as in investigator, researcher

    similar: experimenter, investigator, researcher, empiric, empiricist, fact finder, examiner, inspector, monitor, observer

Related Entry: Wonder-worker (noun)

Wonder-worker is a different word from Worker. The synonyms below are for wonder-worker, not for worker.

  1. as in thaumaturge, thaumaturgist

    similar: thaumaturge, thaumaturgist, theurgist, occultist, medicine man, shaman, shamanist, witch doctor, warlock, crystal gazer, diviner, foreseer, fortune-teller, prognosticator, prophesier, prophet, seer, soothsayer, enchantress, hag, hex, sorceress, medium, charmer, conjurer, enchanter, mage, Magian, magician, magus, necromancer, sorcerer, voodoo, voodooist, witch, wizard, exorciser, exorcist

Related Entry: Coworker (noun)

Coworker is a different word from Worker. The synonyms below are for coworker, not for worker.

  1. a fellow worker

    "my coworkers and I often send facetious e-mails to one another"

    similar: associate, colleague, confrere
    related: equal, fellow, peer, accomplice, ally, cohort, collaborator, confederate, copartner, half, partner, buddy, chum, companion, comrade, crony, pal, compatriot, countryman

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Worker

The most common words with a similar meaning to Worker:

Chiefly British: dogsbody
drone, drudge, drudger, foot soldier, grub, grubber, grunt, laborer, peon, plugger, slave, slogger, toiler, employee, hand, hireling, jobholder, retainer

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Worker

Words with the opposite meaning of Worker:

employer, gaffer

Related Words for Worker

workhorse, serf, assistant, cog, flunky, subordinate, underling, yes-man, gandy dancer, hack, jobber, navvy, nine-to-fiver, wage earner, wage slave, wageworker, workingman, workingwoman, workman, workwoman, associate, colleague, coworker, temp, temporary

Near Antonyms of Worker

goldbrick, shirker, idler, lazybones, loafer, slouch, slug, sluggard, boss, superior, supervisor

Origin & Etymology of Worker

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Worker

Words & Phrases Containing Worker

worker-priest, gig worker, guest worker, sex worker, wonder-worker, care worker, day worker, voluntary worker, coworker

Frequently Asked Questions about Worker

What does "Worker" mean?

"Worker" means one that works especially at manual or industrial labor or with a particular material —often used in combination. As a noun, it is defined as: one that works especially at manual or industrial labor or with a particular material —often used in combination. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Worker"?

Other words for "Worker" include dogsbody, drone, drudge, drudger, foot soldier, grub, grubber and grunt. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Worker" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Worker"?

There are 44 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Worker". Common alternatives include dogsbody, drone, drudge, drudger, foot soldier, grub, grubber, grunt, laborer and peon.

What is the opposite of "Worker"?

Antonyms of "Worker" include employer and gaffer. Near antonyms include goldbrick, shirker, idler and lazybones.

How do you use "Worker" in a sentence?

Examples of "Worker" in a sentence: "a champion of the rights of the farm workers who pick the nation's fruits and vegetables"; "a factory owner who is known for his fair and generous treatment of his workers".

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

"Worker" is a noun.

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

As an A1-level word, "Worker" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.

How do you pronounce "Worker"?

"Worker" is pronounced /ˈwər-kər/ and divided into syllables as work·er.