Word
surveyor
Phoneticssur·vey·or, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈsɝˌveɪɝ/
UK/səvˈeɪɐ/
Definitions
01land measurement
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a person whose job is to measure land and find the exact positions of boundaries or features.
n. a professional who determines the precise location of points and the distances and angles between them to establish maps and boundaries.
“The surveyor used a special camera on a tripod to measure the field before the builders arrived.”
“The land surveyor was hired to resolve the boundary dispute by precisely mapping the property lines according to the original deeds.”
Usage
Often used in the context of construction, civil engineering, and property law.
Synonyms
02building inspector
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun British English
n. a person who examines a building to see if it is in good condition, usually before someone buys it.
n. a professional who inspects the structural condition and value of a building, typically for a buyer or an insurance company.
“We hired a surveyor to check the house for damp and roof problems before we signed the contract.”
“The chartered surveyor identified several structural flaws in the Victorian terrace that the prospective buyers had completely overlooked.”
Usage
In British English, this specifically refers to a 'building surveyor' or 'chartered surveyor'.
Teaching tip
In American English, this role is more commonly called a 'home inspector' or 'appraiser'.
03one who conducts polls
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal
n. someone who carries out a survey or asks people questions to collect information.
n. an individual or agent responsible for conducting a survey, poll, or data collection exercise.
“The market research surveyor asked shoppers about their favorite brands of coffee.”
“The government surveyor spent weeks collecting data from local businesses to assess the impact of the new tax policy.”
Teaching tip
While technically correct, 'pollster' or 'researcher' is much more common in modern speech for this sense.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“The British named it after surveyor George Everest in 1856, but it has long been known locally as Sagarmatha in Nepal and is called Chomolungma, meaning goddess mother of the world, in Tibet.” Word family
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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