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

worker

Someone who works, especially as an employee.

A worker at the hardware store helps me find screws.

Etymology

The agent ending makes a person-name from work. It identifies someone engaged in labor, especially within employment.

More examples

  • The factory hires extra workers during the summer.
  • She's a careful worker who always checks her measurements.
  • Remote workers often attend meetings by video.

Forms

worker · workers

work verb — To perform tasks requiring effort.

Similar words

employee
Specifically someone paid to work for an employer.
laborer
Usually someone whose job involves physical, often strenuous work.