gardener

American  

[gahrd-ner] / ˈgɑrd nər /

noun

1. a person who is employed to cultivate or care for a garden, lawn, etc.

2. any person who gardens or is skillful in gardening.

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gardener British  

/ ˈɡɑːdnə /

noun

1. a person who works in or takes care of a garden as an occupation or pastime

2. any bowerbird of the genus Amblyornis

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Other Word Forms

• undergardener noun

Etymology

Origin of gardener

1250–1300; Middle English < Old North French gardinier ( Old French jardinier ). See garden, -er ²

Explanation

A person whose hobby or job is growing flowers in a garden is called a gardener. If you want homegrown flowers and veggies, get to know a gardener. If you grow vegetables professionally, you're called a farmer, but if you design, tend, or care for a flower garden, you're a gardener. Planting anything on a small scale, in your own backyard, also makes you a gardener. The word gardener was a common last name starting in the 13th century, from the Old French jardineor, and the Old North French gardin, "kitchen garden or orchard."

Example Sentences

I suspect the Pope sees his role as an advocate who promotes transcendent values rather than as a gardener who tries to reserve a plot for weeds.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

"It's a drop in the bucket compared to what this country needs. It means next to nothing," said Raul Pomares, a 56-year-old gardener waiting for a taxi in the capital.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

He doesn’t have a gardener and rarely waters the plants.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

An avid gardener, she enjoyed making salsa with her son using homegrown tomatoes and peppers, her husband said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 4, 2026

First, as any modern gardener or farmer still knows by experience, crop yields can be greatly increased by manure applied as fertilizer.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

Related Words

• grower
• horticulturist