worker

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "worker" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to any person who performs a job or service. For example: "The factory hired a new worker who was very experienced in the job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And my one prayer to God, the miracle worker, was that I would wake up lighter-skinned".

The Guardian - Film

"Only one car at a time is permitted in each block and, at the end of each, there is a section where a train can be stopped if it needs to be," the former worker said.

The Guardian

In the end, myself and my girlfriend (also a mental health worker) took Byron out for dinner.

The Guardian

Abbott said the move followed an assurance from the British government that any Australian health worker who contracted the virus would be treated "as though he or she were a citizen of the UK".

The Guardian

The police had been called to take her for an emergency psychiatric evaluation when she threatened a case worker, but the situation quickly escalated.

The Guardian

The first victim of the rogue batch of drugs is thought to be a Lithuanian factory worker, Eustace Ropas, 22, who died on Christmas Eve at his home, also in Ipswich.

The Guardian

Are you a worker in this sector, or have you recently used its services?

The Guardian - Opinion

Hadid claims that passage was based on a February 2014 statement taken out of context, before work on the stadium had begun and that there were no worker deaths at the site.

The Guardian - Arts

Each prominent character has been given meaty storylines to gorge on, and while some haven't panned out quite as well as others (Jimmy's sideline as a sex worker was introduced and wisely dropped, as was an ill-advised plot-strand about drug-induced rape), the web of intrigue that's been constructed so far doesn't have any major weaknesses in it at all.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

They had been called by the landlord of the property after other tenants raised concerns about a nasty smell coming from a room that used to be occupied by the factory worker.

The Guardian

His partner, agency worker Dzesika Urbikaite, 22, returned to their Peterborough home that night to find her daughter dead in a cot.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a specific job, pair "worker" with a descriptive adjective or noun to provide clarity, such as "healthcare worker" or "factory worker".

Common error

Be specific when referring to "workers" in a particular context. For example, instead of just saying "workers are unhappy", specify "factory workers are unhappy about the new safety regulations" to provide clearer context.

Linguistic Context

The word "worker" functions primarily as a noun, denoting an individual who engages in labor or performs tasks, often for compensation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s a standard English term used to describe people in various occupations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

31%

Science

32%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "worker" is a common and versatile noun used to describe individuals engaged in various forms of labor. As Ludwig AI states, it is grammatically correct and broadly applicable. Our analysis reveals that "worker" is most frequently used in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts. While it maintains a generally neutral register, its meaning can be refined by adding descriptive terms. Related phrases such as "employee" or "laborer" offer more specific connotations. To avoid ambiguity, be sure to provide sufficient context when using the word "worker" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

employee

Focuses on the individual's status within an organization.

laborer

Emphasizes manual or physical work.

staff member

Highlights belonging to a team or group.

operative

Implies specific operational duties.

workforce participant

Stresses involvement in the overall labor market.

tradesperson

Specifies a skilled manual occupation.

personnel

Collective term referring to employees.

hand

Informal term for a manual worker.

blue-collar worker

Highlights manual labor jobs.

white-collar worker

Highlights professional office jobs.

FAQs

How do I use "worker" in a sentence?

The term "worker" is used to refer to someone who performs work, often for wages. For example, "The factory hired a new "factory worker" today".

What are some synonyms for "worker"?

Alternatives include "employee", "laborer", and "staff member", each carrying slight nuances in meaning.

Is "worker" a formal or informal term?

"Worker" is generally considered a neutral term. The formality depends more on the context in which it is used.

What is the difference between "worker" and "employee"?

"Worker" is a more general term for someone who performs work. "Employee" specifically refers to someone who is hired by an employer and receives a regular wage or salary.