What does buttoner mean?
Buttoner is an occupational noun for someone whose job is to fasten buttons, especially on clothing, uniforms, or theatrical costumes. The term can also denote a device or machine designed to attach buttons to fabric. In historical employment records, buttoners often appear as workers in garment production or as people responsible for keeping expensive or formal clothing properly buttoned. The word now sounds old-fashioned for the human occupation, though the technology associated with buttoning remains part of textile manufacturing. Its meaning should be distinguished from that of a button maker, who makes the buttons themselves rather than fastening or attaching them. For general readers, buttoner is chiefly interesting as a surviving piece of occupational vocabulary from an era when clothing was fastened one button at a time.
nounA person employed to fasten buttons, especially on clothing; by extension, a worker or device associated with making or attaching buttons.
- A person employed to attach buttons to clothing or other goods, or to fasten buttons closed.
- A device or machine used to attach buttons to fabric.
"The factory hired several buttoners to attach the thousands of buttons on its uniforms."
"A skilled buttoner attached the mother-of-pearl buttons to the ceremonial jacket."
"For the final scene, the costume assistant served as buttoner, fastening the king’s coat with each entrance."
The regular plural refers to multiple workers or devices of this kind.
"Two buttoners completed the remaining garments before closing time."
Before zippers, a buttoner’s work was literal: fasten every button and keep the wearer properly dressed.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does buttoner come from?
The word was formed in English by adding the occupational suffix -er to button. Button entered Middle English from Old French bouton, meaning a small knob or button, and the French word in turn came through a Germanic ancestor associated with a knot or knob. Related Germanic forms include German Knopf, Dutch knoop, and English knot.
How buttoner is actually used
The word is uncommon in ordinary modern English and sounds dated when referring to a person. Its modern industrial use is specialized and may refer to machinery for attaching buttons.