laborer
Hired for digging
A laborer is someone who does physical work, especially unskilled or semiskilled manual work: The laborers dug trenches in the July heat.
The term often implies work that's demanding but doesn't require specialized training—construction sites, farms, warehouses.
In British English, spelled labourer.
Manual laborers as group
- proletariatLaborers lacking capital ownership
- blue-collarManual labor workforce
- solidarityUnity among allies
- unionJoining into one
collective · strike · exploitation · underclass · rank-and-file · grassroots · hourly · minimum wage
Moisture from skin pores
- exertionVigorous physical effort
- drudgeryHard, boring work
- grindCrush into particles
- fatigueWeariness from prolonged exertion
backbreaking · arduous · slog · burden · overtime · calluses · strain · grueling
Process of building something
- carpenterTimber construction tradesperson
- plumberWater system tradesperson
- electricianWiring installation specialist
- mechanicVehicle maintenance professional
welder · machinist · bricklayer · roofer · painter · ironworker · miner · dockworker
Recurring at fixed intervals
- harvestGathering mature crops
- agriculturalOf farming practices
- guestworkerForeign temporary hire
- braceroGuest agricultural laborer
undocumented · visa · remittance · itinerant · transient · temporary · foreign · cross-border
Of body or matter
- strengthPower to exert force
- staminaCapacity for sustained effort
- liftingRaising something heavy
- haulingTransporting heavy items
digging · carrying · shoveling · loading · handtools · wheelbarrow · scaffolding · forklift
Committed to sustained effort
- diligentPersistently attentive to tasks
- industriousDevoted to steady effort
- tirelessNever losing energy
- dedicatedWholly committed to something
persevering · reliable · sturdy · resilient · uncomplaining · humble · honest · salt of the earth
working-class
Manual laborers as group
- proletariatLaborers lacking capital ownership
- blue-collarManual labor workforce
- solidarityUnity among allies
union · collective · strike · exploitation · underclass · rank-and-file · grassroots · hourly · minimum wage · paycheck
sweat
Moisture from skin pores
fatigue · backbreaking · arduous · slog · burden · overtime · calluses · strain · grueling · exhaustion
construction
Process of building something
- carpenterTimber construction tradesperson
- plumberWater system tradesperson
- electricianWiring installation specialist
mechanic · welder · machinist · bricklayer · roofer · painter · ironworker · miner · dockworker · mason
seasonal
Recurring at fixed intervals
- harvestGathering mature crops
- agriculturalOf farming practices
- guestworkerForeign temporary hire
bracero · undocumented · visa · remittance · itinerant · transient · temporary · foreign · cross-border · farmworker
physical
Of body or matter
hauling · digging · carrying · shoveling · loading · handtools · wheelbarrow · scaffolding · forklift · jackhammer
hardworking
Committed to sustained effort
- diligentPersistently attentive to tasks
- industriousDevoted to steady effort
- tirelessNever losing energy
dedicated · persevering · reliable · sturdy · resilient · uncomplaining · humble · honest · salt of the earth
- farm workersfarmer, farmworker, hired hand, field hand, farmhand
- builderscarpenter, builder, mason, contractor, bricklayer
- rural workerspeasant, farmhand, farmworker, field hand, agricultural worker
- field workersfarmhand, harvester, picker, cultivator, berry picker
- mill workersmiller, mill hand, bolter, grinder, sifter
- jobsdoctor, administrator, lawyer, teacher, nurse
laborermanager
One who directs others
executive · boss · employer · supervisor · owner
laborercapitalist
Private ownership supporter
aristocrat · owner · king · industrialist · mogul
- manual laborWork done bodily
- compulsory laborWork required by law
- labor painsChildbirth's physical distress
- child laborMinors performing paid work
- labor protestOrganized worker demonstration
- hard laborStrenuous punitive work
labor, elaborate, labored, laboring, laboratory, collaboration, laborers, laborious, labors