Meaning & use
foremen
Last updated
UK/ˈfɔːmən/
US/ˈfɔrmən/
“foremen” is a form of “foreman”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meaning
nounplural
Workers who are in charge of a group of other workers, especially on a building site or in a factory (plural of foreman).
Grammar: Irregular plural of foreman; the singular is foreman.
Patterns
- foremen on a site
- foremen of a team
The foremen met every morning to plan the day's work.
Several foremen walked the site to check safety.
Good foremen know both the tools and the people.
Word forms
| singular | foreman |
|---|
Common combinations
- construction foremen
- Construction foremen start work before the crew arrives.
- factory foremen
- The factory foremen reported to the manager.
- site foremen
- The site foremen wear bright vests.
- experienced foremen
- Experienced foremen often rise from the workforce.
- foremen and workers
- Foremen and workers shared a lunch break.
Synonyms and how they differ
- supervisors
- Supervisors is a neutral, gender-free word that can be used in any workplace, not only manual trades.
- overseers
- Overseers is older and can suggest harsh control, so it is not used for a modern workplace.
- team leaders
- Team leaders usually manage smaller groups in offices and shops, while foremen are linked to manual trades.
- gaffers
- Gaffers is British informal for bosses, and it also names lighting chiefs in film.
Opposites
laborers
Word family
- foreman noun
- singular form
- forewoman noun
- a woman in charge of a work group
- foreperson noun
- a gender-neutral term for the head of a jury or work group
Practice
What is the correct plural of 'foreman'?
Choose one answer.
Foreman has an irregular plural, foremen, like man and men. Foremans and foremens are not correct, and foremen's is a possessive.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “foremen”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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