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

sewer

A person who stitches fabric by hand or machine.

The experienced sewer guides the fabric under the needle.

Etymology

The agent ending identifies the person who sews. This occupational or activity noun is distinct from the water-drainage word spelled the same way.

More examples

  • She is a careful sewer who makes her own clothes.
  • Several sewers worked on the costumes.
  • A beginner sewer may find this pattern difficult.

Forms

sewer · sewers

sew verb — join or mend with stitches

Similar words

sewist
A newer alternative without the drainage homonym.
tailor
Someone making or altering fitted clothing specifically.