DictionaryRoot: -er
English

-er

a person or thing that does something

Forms

  • -er
  • -r — Used after some bases ending in e.

Origin

Old English -ere, generally traced through Germanic to Latin -arius.

Note

It can name a tool as readily as a person. The comparison ending in taller has a different history.

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noun

builder

Someone who constructs buildings or creates something.

The builder checks the new wall before adding the roof.

Etymology

The inherited verb names construction. The agent ending identifies the person responsible, and the meaning extends beyond houses to anything deliberately created or assembled.

More examples

  • We hired a local builder to extend the kitchen.
  • She became a patient builder of trust within the team.
  • Several builders submitted estimates for the project.

Forms

builder · builders

Similar words

contractor
Undertakes agreed work, while builder specifically constructs or creates something.