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.

---

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

---

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

In “Chasing Lewis’s Monkeyflower,” Elizabeth Adelman, a gardener and heritage-plant expert, mounts a search for Lewis’s lost plants.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 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

My stepfather could build and install anything we needed, and my mom was a terrific gardener.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 3, 2026

Fiona said she hopes her fellow traitors get to the final, but is also rooting for creative director Matthew and gardener James.

From BBC • Jan. 10, 2026

A gardener was always trimming bushes, watering plants in the greenhouse.

From "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini

Related Words

• grower
• horticulturist