Worker

/ˈwɜːrkər/

Meaning & Definition

noun
A person who works, especially one who does a specific kind of work.
The factory hired over a hundred new workers to meet the increased demand.
A member of the working class, especially a manual laborer.
The workers united to negotiate better wages and working conditions.
A being, especially an insect, that performs a specific role within a community.
In a bee colony, the worker bees are responsible for gathering food and taking care of the queen.

Etymology

Middle English: from work + -er.

Common Phrases and Expressions

hard worker
A person who puts in a lot of effort into their work.
blue-collar worker
A person engaged in manual labor, typically in industrial jobs.
key worker
An essential worker during emergencies or critical situations.

Related Words

laborer
A person engaged in unskilled manual work.
artisan
A skilled worker who makes items by hand.
employee
A person employed for wages or salary.

Slang Meanings

Workhorse
She's the workhorse of the team, always doing the heavy lifting.
Bee
He's a bee in the office, buzzing around and getting things done.