What does shingler mean?
A shingler is a roofer whose work involves installing shingles, the overlapping pieces of material used to cover and protect roofs. The word is especially associated with asphalt shingles, although it can apply more broadly to workers who install different kinds of shingle roofing. In a less common older or regional sense, a shingler can refer to a roof or building covered with shingles rather than to the worker who installs them. In modern employment contexts, however, “shingler” normally identifies the person doing the work. The term is straightforward in formation: it combines shingle with the agent suffix -er, making it a specialized occupational noun comparable with terms such as roofer and slater. It is useful when discussing the separate roles involved in roofing projects, where a shingler installs the covering rather than carrying out general structural repairs.
A worker who installs shingles, especially roof shingles.
"The crew hired a shingler to replace the old roof covering."
Common in roofing and construction contexts; less common in general conversation.
A roof or structure covered with shingles, in an older or less common usage.
"The cottage had a broad shingler facing the lane."
This sense is relatively uncommon and may be regional or dated.
The standard plural of shingler is shinglers, used for multiple roofing workers or for multiple structures in the less common sense.
"Two shinglers repaired the roof of the old barn."
Shingler has a straightforward history: it combines the roofing material shingle with the agent suffix -er, naming the person who lays shingles.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does shingler come from?
Shingler is formed from shingle with the English agent suffix -er, meaning “one who works with or installs shingles.” Shingle itself comes through Middle English forms associated with covering a roof or wall with thin pieces of material, ultimately related to Old English scindula, meaning a tile or piece of wood used for covering. The occupational meaning of shingler is especially associated with roofing and has continued in modern English.
How shingler is actually used
The occupational sense is the most common. The sense referring to a roof or structure covered with shingles is less frequent and may sound old-fashioned or regional.
Easily confused with shingler
A shingle is an individual piece of roofing material, whereas a shingler is a person who installs shingles.