# labourer

/lˈeɪbɜːɹɐ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/labourer
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

a person who does physical work, especially on a farm or a construction site. You use this word for someone who does hard manual work rather than an office job.

For teachers: a person who performs manual or physical work, typically on a farm or in construction. Often used to distinguish those who perform unskilled or semi-skilled tasks from professionals or managers.

## Examples

- The construction site is full of skilled labourers.
- Many local labourers were hired to help finish the new bridge before the winter storm arrived.
- While the project required the oversight of engineers, the actual physical work was carried out by a team of experienced labourers who had spent decades on similar sites.

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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.