Meaning & use
a builder
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountable
a person or company whose job is to construct buildings, roads, or other structures
Grammar: Countable noun; you can say 'a builder', 'the builder', or 'builders'.
Patterns
- a builder of something
- hire a builder
We hired a builder to add a new room to our house.
The builder said the roof would take two weeks to repair.
She works as a builder for a large construction firm.
nouncountablefigurative
a person who creates or develops something, such as a business, a reputation, or a system
Grammar: Often used in phrases like 'a builder of ...' or 'an empire builder'.
Patterns
- a builder of something
- an empire builder
He was a builder of successful companies.
She is known as a builder of communities.
Word forms
| plural | builders |
|---|
Common combinations
- a local builder
- We asked a local builder to give us a quote.
- a house builder
- The house builder promised to finish by June.
- a master builder
- The cathedral was designed by a master builder.
- a builder's merchant
- We bought the bricks from a builder's merchant.
Synonyms and how they differ
- contractor
- More common in American English for a company or person that manages construction; 'builder' is broader and can mean the actual worker.
- construction worker
- Refers to anyone who works on a building site, not necessarily the person in charge or the company.
- developer
- Often means someone who buys land and builds houses or offices to sell; a builder may just construct.
Word family
Commonly confused: a builder or buyer?
a builder vs buyer
A buyer purchases things; a builder constructs them. They sound similar but have different meanings.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'a builder' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Option 1 correctly uses 'builder' for someone who constructs buildings. Option 0 describes a plumber's job. Option 2 describes a seller or farmer. Option 3 misuses 'builder' for making cakes, which is not construction.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “a builder”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.