builder

builder — noun

1. someone whose work is putting up new homes and similar structures, and fixing ol

1.nounB1
Definition

someone whose work is putting up new homes and similar structures, and fixing old ones for customers.

Example

Priya asked a local builder to fix the cracked garden wall.

pattern: ask or hire a builder to + verb

A builder measured the kitchen before moving the back door.

common task: measure before starting work

Common collocations
  • local builder
  • hire a builder
  • builder's estimate
  • independent builder
  • small house project
Synonyms
  • contractor

    more business-like; often suggests the person or company responsible for the whole project

  • construction worker

    broader; can mean any worker on a building site, not specifically the one a family hires

  • carpenter

    narrower; focuses on wood work rather than general building jobs

  • mason

    narrower; mainly works with brick, stone, or concrete

Grammar Patterns

hire a builder

builder to + verb

work as a builder

Usage Note

Often used for the person or small business that a family hires for home jobs, repairs, or an extra room. For any worker on a large site, construction worker is broader.

Common Mistakes

We hired a construction worker to plan and finish our kitchen job.
We hired a builder to plan and finish our kitchen job.
'construction worker' is a broad site role, while 'builder' is more natural for the person hired to do the whole home job.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Builder' is an everyday word for someone people hire to put up, change, or repair parts of a house. 'Contractor' sounds more business-like and often suggests the person or company responsible for the whole job, sometimes with other workers under them. 'Construction worker' is broader and can mean any worker on a building site. 'Carpenter' is narrower, because it focuses on wood work such as doors, stairs, or shelves. 'Mason' is also narrower and points to brick, stone, or concrete work. You might call a builder to fix your roof, a carpenter to make cupboards, and a mason to rebuild a garden wall.

builder ↗contractor ↗construction workercarpenter ↗mason ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • local builder
  • independent builder
  • builder's estimate

Phrases

  • hire a builder
  • work as a builder
  • call in a builder

Etymology

Proto-GermanicOld EnglishEnglish

Builder was formed in English from the verb 'build' and the ending '-er', which names a person who does an action. The verb 'build' goes back to Old English and older Germanic words linked with a dwelling or structure. So the noun builder has long kept the basic idea of a person who builds.