holiday-maker: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2neutral to informal
Quick answer
What does “holiday-maker” mean?
A person who is on holiday away from home.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who is on holiday away from home; a tourist or vacationer.
A person, especially one who is part of mass tourism, traveling for leisure and recreation, often to popular resorts or destinations.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In American English, the equivalent term is almost always 'vacationer'. The term 'holiday-maker' is very rarely used in the US and is recognized as a Britishism.
Connotations
In British English, it is a standard, descriptive term. In American English, using 'holiday-maker' might sound quaint or distinctly foreign.
Frequency
Very common in UK English (especially in media, tourism, and everyday speech). Extremely rare in US English.
Grammar
How to Use “holiday-maker” in a Sentence
[holiday-maker] + in + [location][holiday-maker] + from + [country][holiday-maker] + at + [resort]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The hotel chain's profits are highly dependent on the number of holiday-makers during the peak season.
Academic
The paper analyses the environmental impact of seasonal holiday-makers on coastal ecosystems.
Everyday
The beach was packed with holiday-makers enjoying the sunshine.
Technical
In tourism statistics, a 'holiday-maker' is defined as a person travelling for leisure for at least one night away from home.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “holiday-maker”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “holiday-maker”
- Using 'holiday-maker' in American English contexts.
- Spelling as one word ('holidaymaker') is a common variant, but the hyphenated form is standard in British English.
- Confusing with 'day-tripper' (a person who visits for a day, not staying overnight).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is most commonly written with a hyphen: 'holiday-maker'. The one-word form 'holidaymaker' is also seen, especially in informal contexts, but the hyphenated form is considered standard in British English.
It is not recommended. While you would be understood, it sounds distinctly British. Use 'vacationer' or 'tourist' instead in American English.
They are largely synonymous. 'Holiday-maker' specifically emphasizes the leisure/vacation aspect and is often used in the context of domestic or European package holidays. 'Tourist' is a broader, more international term that can include people traveling for culture, sightseeing, or other purposes beyond just relaxation.
Not inherently. It is a neutral descriptive term. However, like 'tourist', it can sometimes be used pejoratively to refer to crowds of visitors perceived as unsophisticated or damaging to a location, especially in phrases like 'mass holiday-makers'.
A person who is on holiday away from home.
Holiday-maker is usually neutral to informal in register.
Holiday-maker: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɒl.ə.deɪ ˌmeɪ.kər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɑː.lə.deɪ ˌmeɪ.kɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of someone who MAKES time for a HOLIDAY. They are the 'maker' or 'taker' of a holiday.
Conceptual Metaphor
LEISURE IS A COMMODITY TO BE CONSUMED (The holiday-maker is a consumer of leisure time and experiences).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the most common American English equivalent for 'holiday-maker'?