mechanic

mechanic — noun

1. Someone who earns a living by finding and fixing faults in cars, trucks, motorcy

1.nounB1
Definition

Someone who earns a living by finding and fixing faults in cars, trucks, motorcycles, or other machinery.

Example

Cyrus took his car to a mechanic when the engine started making a strange noise.

collocation: take [vehicle] to a mechanic

The mechanic at Minho's garage replaced the brake pads and topped up the oil.

Common collocations
  • take [something] to a mechanic
  • a mechanic fixes / repairs / checks
  • qualified mechanic
  • diesel mechanic
  • trained mechanic
Synonyms
  • technician

    broader term — covers electronic and computer repairs too

  • engineer

    more formal and often implies higher-level design knowledge

  • repair person

    gender-neutral, more general, less specific to vehicles

Grammar Patterns

mechanic + verb

a mechanic who…

Usage Note

Countable; refers to a person. The typical setting is a garage or workshop, but mechanics also work in factories, on ships, and at construction sites.

Common Mistakes

The mechanic of this car is very skilled.
The mechanic who fixed this car is very skilled.
'mechanic' is a person, not an abstract quality of a machine.

2. The branch of science that studies how forces affect the movement and behaviour

2.nounC1
Definition

The branch of science that studies how forces affect the movement and behaviour of physical objects.

Example

In physics class, students studied the mechanics of how a ball rolls down a ramp.

pattern: the mechanics of how [something] does [something]

The mechanics of a bicycle explain how the rider's leg motion turns the wheels.

Common collocations
  • classical mechanics
  • quantum mechanics
  • fluid mechanics
  • laws of mechanics
Synonyms
  • physics

    broader — mechanics is a subfield of physics

  • dynamics

    narrower — focuses specifically on objects in motion

Grammar Patterns

the mechanics of [system/object]

Usage Note

In this sense, the word is almost always used as 'mechanics' (with an -s) but takes a singular verb, e.g. 'Mechanics is a core subject in engineering.'

Common Mistakes

Mechanic is a difficult subject.
Mechanics is a difficult subject.
the study of forces is called 'mechanics,' not 'mechanic.'

3. The detailed processes, methods, or practical steps by which a system, activity,

3.nounB2
Definition

The detailed processes, methods, or practical steps by which a system, activity, or organisation operates.

Example

It took Kabir several weeks to learn the mechanics of the new accounting system.

pattern: the mechanics of [system]

The mechanics of how a proposal becomes law can seem confusing to new voters.

Common collocations
  • the mechanics of
  • basic mechanics
  • mechanics of [voting/storytelling/operation]
Synonyms
  • workings

    simpler synonym, common in everyday English

  • process

    less technical; refers to a sequence of steps

  • logistics

    focuses on practical organisation and coordination

Grammar Patterns

the mechanics of [system/process]

Usage Note

Usually appears as 'the mechanics of [something],' referring to how a complex system works step by step. Common in business, government, and education contexts.

Common Mistakes

I don't understand the mechanic of this machine.
I don't understand the mechanics of this machine.
when referring to how something works internally, use the plural form 'mechanics.'

4. A programmed rule or system inside a video or board game that determines what pl

4.nounB2
Definition

A programmed rule or system inside a video or board game that determines what players can do and how their choices influence the final result.

Example

The stealth mechanic in this game lets players sneak past enemies instead of fighting them.

pattern: [adjective] mechanic in [game]

One popular game mechanic is 'crafting', where players combine materials to make new items.

collocation: popular game mechanic

Common collocations
  • game mechanic
  • core mechanics
  • new mechanic
  • stealth mechanic
  • combat mechanic
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

game mechanic

a [specific] mechanic

Usage Note

Common in discussions of video game design. A single game usually has multiple mechanics that work together (jumping, crafting, combat, etc.). Also used for board games and card games.

Common Mistakes

The mechanic of this game is fun.
The game mechanics are fun.' or 'This game mechanic is fun.
use the plural when talking about the system as a whole, or a/an for a single feature.

mechanic — adjective

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

A 'mechanic' specifically works on vehicles and machinery, focusing on hands-on diagnosis and repair. A 'technician' is a broader term — technicians work with electronic devices, computers, and lab equipment, often requiring more theory. An 'engineer' has a higher-level, degree-based role involving design, research, and planning, though in some countries the term is used more loosely. A 'repair person' is the most general term and can refer to anyone who fixes things, from a mechanic to an appliance specialist. For example, you take your car to a mechanic, call a computer technician for a broken laptop, and consult an engineer before building a bridge.

technician ↗engineer ↗repair person

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • take [something] to a mechanic
  • the mechanics of [something]
  • game mechanic

Prepositions

Etymology

GreekLatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'mechanic' came into English from Latin 'mechanicus', which was borrowed from Greek 'mēkhanikos' — meaning 'skilled in inventing or constructing machines'. The Greek root 'mēkhanē' meant 'a device, a machine, or a clever invention'. For centuries, a mechanic was someone who worked with machines and tools. By the 1600s, the sense expanded to include the abstract study of forces and motion (mechanics), and later to describe the inner workings of any system — from a government to a video game.