What does weaver mean?
“Weaver” most commonly denotes a person who weaves threads into fabric or other textiles, traditionally on a loom. The word carries a clear occupational association and can suggest skill, patience, precision, or craftsmanship, especially when used in expressions such as “master weaver.” In ordinary use, a weaver may work with wool, cotton, linen, or other materials, and the term is especially associated with traditional textile production. “Weaver” also names a group of birds known for building elaborate nests from grasses and other plant materials. This second sense is distinct from the human occupation but is the source of the familiar compound “weaver bird.” Together, the meanings connect the word with weaving in both its literal, textile-related sense and its broader associations with interlacing, craftsmanship, and intricate construction.
nounA weaver is a person who makes fabric or other textiles by interlacing threads, typically on a loom. By extension, a weaver is a bird of the weaver family, so called for its intricately woven nests.
- A person who weaves fabric or other textiles, especially on a loom.
- A bird belonging to the weaver family, whose name refers to the elaborate nests these birds construct.
"The weaver worked at a wooden loom in the village, producing fine linen for the local market."
"The weaver inspected the threads before starting the patterned cloth."
"A colorful weaver bird perched near the reeds, adding a burst of yellow to the scene."
The standard plural of the occupational noun is “weavers”; in zoological contexts, “weavers” can refer to members of the weaver bird family.
"Several weavers displayed their work at the textile fair."
A weaver bird is named for the intricately woven nests it builds, not because it weaves fabric.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of weaver
The noun comes through Middle English from Old English wīfere, meaning a person who weaves. It belongs to the Germanic family of words connected with weaving, including weave, weft, woof, and web. The bird sense is a later English application of the word, referring to birds in the weaver family and emphasizing their woven-looking nests.
Related word forms
How weaver is actually used
The occupational sense is neutral and common in both British and American English. The bird sense is chiefly used in zoological or wildlife contexts and should not be understood as referring to a textile worker.