# coworker

/ˈkoʊˈwɝkɝ/ (US) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/coworker
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

someone you work with, usually at the same level as you in a company.

For teachers: a person with whom one works, typically in a professional or office environment. Often implies a peer relationship rather than a hierarchical one.

## Examples

- I am going to lunch with a coworker today.
- After the meeting, a coworker helped me finish the presentation so we could submit it before the deadline.
- Maintaining professional boundaries with a coworker can be challenging when the collaborative nature of the project encourages a more personal friendship outside of office hours.

## Pitfalls

- Not "my workmate coworker" but "my coworker" — Learners sometimes combine 'workmate' and 'coworker', but these are synonyms and should be used separately.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used in American English; 'colleague' is often preferred in British English or more formal contexts.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.