Word
undertaker
Phoneticsun·der·tak·er, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈəndɝˌteɪkɝ/
UK/ˌʌndətˈeɪkɐ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a person whose job is to organize funerals and prepare dead bodies for burial or cremation.
n. a professional responsible for the preparation of the deceased for burial or cremation and the management of funeral arrangements.
Examples
“The undertaker arrived to help the family with the funeral plans.”
“After the grandfather passed away, the family contacted a local undertaker to handle the service and the burial.”
“While the term is increasingly replaced by 'funeral director' in formal contexts, the local undertaker remains a respected figure who provides essential support to grieving families in the community.”
Examples
simple
“The undertaker arrived to help the family with the funeral plans.”
contextual
“After the grandfather passed away, the family contacted a local undertaker to handle the service and the burial.”
complex
“While the term is increasingly replaced by 'funeral director' in formal contexts, the local undertaker remains a respected figure who provides essential support to grieving families in the community.”
Usage
Commonly used in British English; in American English, 'funeral director' or 'mortician' is often preferred for a more modern register.
Real-World Examples
“According to this conspiracy theory, the black-clad Ringo Starr is the undertaker and George Harrison the gravedigger.” Etymology
From undertake (verb) + -er.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/undertaker