workman

[ wurk-muhn ]

noun

, plural work·men.

1. a man employed or skilled in some form of manual, mechanical, or industrial work.
2. a male worker. worker.

workman

/ ˈwɜːkmən /

noun

1. a man who is employed in manual labour or who works an industrial machine
2. a craftsman of skill as specified

   a bad workman

Gender Note

See -man.

Other Words From

• sub·workman noun plural subworkmen
• under·workman noun plural underworkmen

Word History and Origins

Origin of workman¹

before 900; Middle English werkman, Old English weorcman. See work, man

Example Sentences

They had been formed from civilian workmen in New Deal 1940s America, and they embraced the era’s informal attitudes of blue-collar solidarity and equality.

From Popular-Science

After all, they were not an attack force, they were a crew of workmen out to do an insane job.

From Popular-Science

The only sound was from the workmen above handling the ropes and yelling “shweya” — slowly.

From Washington Post

Around it some barefoot workmen were operating power tools without any protective gear.

From MIT Technology Review

In the special, Workman plays the old man who, as a cabin boy, watched the pirates bury their treasure.

From The Daily Beast

One of the first, Fanny Bullock Workman, was the daughter of a Massachusetts governor.

From The Daily Beast

For almost a century, women like Workman continued to establish themselves in the sport, but Everest eluded them.

From The Daily Beast

Representative Workman might also consider that moral conduct guides many laws.

From The Daily Beast

If Representative Workman wanted to serve his constituency well, he would look to create jobs for the masses.

From The Daily Beast

Now for the tempering of the Gudgeons, I leave it to the judgment of the Workman; but a word or two of the polishing of it.

From Project Gutenberg

Is a Tailor, that can make a new Coat well, the worse Workman, because he can mend an old one?

From Project Gutenberg

He was, as has been said, an unusually good workman, consequently his employers had no wish to part with him.

From Project Gutenberg

He hath chosen strong wood, and that will not rot: the skilful workman seeketh how he may set up an idol that may not be moved.

From Project Gutenberg

He was slight, wore a workman's overall suit, and he had a lunch box under his arm.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• hand
• manual worker
• worker