workman
B2Formal, neutral, or traditional; slightly dated in some contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A man employed to do manual or skilled labour, especially in construction, maintenance, or a trade.
A person considered in terms of their skill or quality of workmanship, often in a neutral or evaluative sense (e.g., a good workman). It can also be a component in company names or product brands denoting traditional craftsmanship.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term typically implies physical, hands-on labour and often skilled trade. While gender-specific, it can be used generically in fixed phrases or historical contexts. It often carries connotations of pride in skilled labour and reliability.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More commonly used in UK English, especially in formal/official contexts (e.g., 'workman's compensation'). In US English, 'worker', 'laborer', or specific trade terms (e.g., 'carpenter', 'technician') are often preferred in everyday speech.
Connotations
UK: Slightly traditional but still standard. US: Can sound formal, old-fashioned, or specifically refer to construction/labour contexts.
Frequency
Higher frequency in UK English. In US English, 'construction worker' or 'repairman' are more frequent for specific jobs.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The [adjective] workman [verb] ...A workman of [skill/quality]Workman's [noun] (e.g., workman's rights)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A bad workman blames his tools.”
- “Workmanlike (adjective: efficient and competent but not inspired).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in legal/insurance contexts (e.g., 'workman's comp'), or in traditional company names.
Academic
Rare; used in historical, sociological, or economic studies discussing labour.
Everyday
Used when referring to a man doing a specific manual job, e.g., 'The workman fixed our boiler.'
Technical
Used in construction, manufacturing, or trade regulations.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- A very workmanlike performance from the team.
- He completed the job in a workmanlike manner.
American English
- The repair was solid and workmanlike.
- Her approach was efficient and workmanlike.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The workman is fixing the window.
- My father is a workman.
- We need to hire a skilled workman to build the shed.
- The workman brought his own tools.
- A good workman never complains about his tools; he uses them skillfully.
- The insurance covered the workman's injury on site.
- His workmanlike approach to the project ensured its timely but uninspired completion.
- The legislation improved protections for the itinerant workman.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A WORKing MAN = WORKMAN.
Conceptual Metaphor
HUMAN AS TOOL-USER / CRAFTSMAN (e.g., 'He's a tool of the system' vs. 'He's a master workman').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'работник' (worker) which is broader. 'Workman' is more specific to manual/skilled labour. Avoid using 'рабочий' for white-collar contexts.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'workman' for office workers. Using it as a plural without changing to 'workmen'. Confusing 'workman' (noun) with 'workmanlike' (adjective).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'workman' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is historically and typically male-specific. For gender-neutral terms, use 'worker', 'labourer', or the specific trade name.
A 'craftsman' emphasizes high artistic skill and mastery in a craft (e.g., furniture making). A 'workman' is broader, covering both skilled and unskilled manual labour.
It is still used, especially in fixed phrases and specific industries, but can sound formal or traditional compared to 'worker'. Its use is declining in favour of more specific or gender-neutral terms.
The plural is 'workmen'. Remember the spelling change: 'man' becomes 'men'.