plumber

plumber — noun

1. someone whose work is putting in or fixing the pipes and water equipment in buil

1.nounB2
Definition

someone whose work is putting in or fixing the pipes and water equipment in buildings, such as sinks, toilets, baths, and showers.

Example

We called a plumber after dirty water started leaking under the kitchen sink.

common collocation: call a plumber

The plumber replaced the broken pipe behind the bathroom wall before noon.

typical object: replace a broken pipe

Common collocations
  • call a plumber
  • hire a plumber
  • licensed plumber
  • emergency plumber
  • local plumber
  • qualified plumber
Synonyms
  • pipe fitter

    more specialized — often works on larger pipe systems in factories or big buildings

  • plumbing contractor

    more formal business term for a plumber or plumbing company hired for a job

  • handyman

    broader — may do small home repairs, but may not have full plumbing training

Grammar Patterns

call a plumber

work as a plumber

plumber + repairs/installs + pipe, sink, toilet, shower

Usage Note

Often follows verbs like 'call', 'hire', or 'send for' when a problem in a home needs fixing quickly. Common objects are pipes, sinks, toilets, showers, and boilers, and the work is usually connected with a building's water system.

Common Mistakes

The electrician fixed our leaking toilet.
The plumber fixed our leaking toilet.
toilets, sinks, and water pipes are a plumber's job; electricians deal with wiring and power.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Plumber' is the normal everyday word for the worker who installs or repairs water pipes, sinks, toilets, showers, and similar equipment in a building. 'Pipe fitter' is narrower and more technical: it often refers to someone working on large or industrial pipe systems rather than ordinary home repairs. 'Handyman' is broader and less exact, because a handyman may do many small jobs around the house but may not be trained for major plumbing work. 'Electrician' is a different trade completely, though learners sometimes confuse the two because both are called when something in a house goes wrong. If the sink is leaking, call a plumber; if the lights keep failing, call an electrician.

plumber ↗pipe fitterhandyman ↗electrician ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • licensed plumber
  • emergency plumber
  • local plumber
  • plumber's tools
  • plumber's bill

Phrases

  • call a plumber
  • hire a plumber
  • send for a plumber
  • work as a plumber
  • train as a plumber

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

Plumber goes back to the Latin word 'plumbum', meaning lead. Early pipes were often made from lead, so the word first referred to a worker who dealt with that metal. Over time, English narrowed the meaning to the person who installs and repairs water pipes, toilets, and similar equipment in buildings.