repairman: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to informal; used in everyday speech and basic professional contexts, but often replaced by more specific terms in formal writing.
Quick answer
What does “repairman” mean?
A person whose occupation is repairing machinery, equipment, appliances, vehicles, or structures.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person whose occupation is repairing machinery, equipment, appliances, vehicles, or structures.
Someone who fixes broken items professionally; can imply a trusted, skilled worker, often associated with physical maintenance rather than complex engineering.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the term similarly. British English may slightly prefer more specific terms (e.g., 'engineer', 'technician') for certain contexts, but 'repairman' is well understood.
Connotations
Neutral in both; slightly blue-collar/service profession connotation.
Frequency
Slightly more common in American English, where 'handyman' (broader) and 'repairman' (more specific) are both frequent.
Grammar
How to Use “repairman” in a Sentence
The repairman repaired [OBJECT]We need to call a repairman for [OBJECT]The repairman who came yesterday [VERB PHRASE]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “repairman” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- 'I'll repairman it' is not standard. Use 'repair' or 'fix'.
American English
- 'He repairmanned the boiler' is non-standard. Use 'repaired'.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverbial form.
American English
- No standard adverbial form.
adjective
British English
- Repairman services are available locally.
American English
- They offer repairman assistance for a fee.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in service contracts, invoices, and customer support contexts.
Academic
Rare; replaced by 'technician', 'maintenance personnel'.
Everyday
Very common for discussing broken household items, appliances, cars.
Technical
Used in manuals, service documentation, but often superseded by specific job titles (e.g., 'HVAC technician').
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “repairman”
Strong
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “repairman”
- Using 'repairman' for highly specialized engineers (e.g., aerospace engineer). Confusing 'repairman' with 'handyman' (who does small repairs and odd jobs). Using plural 'repairmans' instead of 'repairmen'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is historically masculine. In modern inclusive language, terms like 'repair technician', 'repair person', or 'repairer' are often preferred.
A repairman typically specialises in fixing specific items (appliances, vehicles, etc.). A handyman does a wider variety of small repair, maintenance, and improvement jobs around a home.
Yes, but 'IT technician', 'computer repair technician', or 'PC repair specialist' are more specific and common.
The standard plural is 'repairmen' (e.g., 'Three repairmen visited the site').
A person whose occupation is repairing machinery, equipment, appliances, vehicles, or structures.
Repairman is usually neutral to informal; used in everyday speech and basic professional contexts, but often replaced by more specific terms in formal writing. in register.
Repairman: in British English it is pronounced /rɪˈpɛəman/, and in American English it is pronounced /rɪˈperˌmæn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A good repairman is worth his weight in gold.”
- “Like a repairman with no tools (implying uselessness).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
REPAIR + MAN = a man who repairs. Think: 'The repair man repaired the fan.'
Conceptual Metaphor
REPAIRMAN AS HEALER (for objects). The repairman 'diagnoses' and 'fixes' broken machines, analogous to a doctor treating a patient.
Practice
Quiz
Which is NOT a typical synonym for 'repairman' in a formal business context?