# workman

/ˈwɝkmən/ (US) · /wˈɜːkmən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/workman
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. manual labourer

noun · CEFR B2

a man who does physical work for a living, often involving building or repairs.

For teachers: a male individual employed to perform manual labour, typically for hourly or daily wages.

- The workman arrived early to fix the leaking pipe in the bathroom.
- Several workmen were hired to clear the debris from the construction site before the new foundation could be poured.

Usage: Often used in the plural 'workmen' to refer to a crew of labourers.

### 2. skilled craftsman

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a man who is very skilled at making things by hand.

For teachers: a skilled artisan or craftsman who demonstrates technical proficiency in a specific trade.

- He was a fine workman who took great pride in his wood carvings.
- The restoration of the cathedral required a master workman capable of replicating the intricate stonework of the fourteenth century.

Teaching tip: This sense is often found in the proverb 'a bad workman always blames his tools,' meaning someone who lacks skill will blame their equipment for their failure.

## Examples

- The workman fixed the broken pipe in the kitchen.
- The construction site was filled with workmen laying bricks and mixing concrete for the new apartment complex.
- The factory relied on a team of skilled workmen who maintained the heavy machinery, ensuring that production remained uninterrupted during the busy holiday season.

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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.