What does labourer mean?
A labourer is someone who performs physical or manual work, especially in agriculture, construction, or another occupation commonly associated with modest wages and limited formal qualifications. In British English the standard spelling is labourer; American English normally uses laborer for the same person. The word can be quite general, as in casual labourer, or more specific when combined with another term, as in farm labourer or migrant labourer. It often carries a traditional or working-class tone, but it is not inherently insulting and can simply identify a worker’s role. In some professional contexts, a more precise occupational term may be preferred. Related forms such as labour, laboured, and labouring concern work as an activity, an effort, or the condition of having to work hard. Etymologically, labourer comes through Old French from the Latin laborator, a worker, ultimately derived from laborare, meaning to work or toil.
nounA person who performs physical or manual work, especially someone employed in agriculture, construction, or another occupation regarded as relatively low-paid or unskilled.
- A person who does physical or manual work, especially in agriculture, construction, or another relatively low-paid or unskilled occupation.
"A seasonal labourer was hired to clear the land before planting began."
"The farm employed several labourers during the harvest."
"Local labourers helped repair the damaged wall."
The standard British plural is labourers; the American spelling and plural are laborers and laborers.
"Several labourers were waiting outside the factory."
This word names a person, but its Latin ancestor names an activity: laborare, “to work or toil.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does labourer come from?
The word entered Middle English as laboureur, borrowed from Old French laboureur, itself derived from Latin laborator, meaning a worker. The Latin word came from laborare, “to work, labour, or toil,” the source of several English words connected with work, including collaborate and laborious. The modern British spelling retains the historical u, while American English normally uses laborer.
Related word forms
How labourer is actually used
Chiefly British in modern usage, though it remains common in American English as laborer. Depending on context, the term may sound traditional, occupational, or class-conscious.
Easily confused with labourer
Labourer is the standard British spelling, while laborer is the standard American spelling of the same word.
Labour can mean the activity or body of work, whereas a labourer is the person performing that work.