Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

contractor

/ˈkɒnˌtɹæk.tə(ɹ)/

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.08 in modern English

Syllables: con-trac-tor
IPA: /ˈkɒnˌtɹæk.tə(ɹ)/

14

Scrabble Score

10

Letters

3

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A person or company that builds or improves buildings or structures.

noun

A person or company that performs specific tasks like electrical or plumbing work in construction projects.

noun

A person or company hired to maintain existing facilities like air conditioning systems, groundskeeping, etc.

noun

A person hired to do a job on a business contract, as opposed to a permanent employee.

name

A surname originating as an occupation.

Example Sentences

"Two days later, walking beyond the usual limit of the conventional promenade, Carrados reached a rough wooden hut such as contractors erect during the progress of their work."
"It looks like you're off to a three-hour staff meeting that doesn't apply to me. I'm glad I'm a highly-paid contractor. I'll be increasing my skills while you fight to get oxygen to your brains."

Etymology

Borrowed from Late Latin contractor, from Latin contract-, stem of contractus + -tor. First attested in the 16th century.

Origin

Source language: Latin
First known use: First attested in the 16th century

Word Breakdown

Root: contractus

Regional Pronunciation

British English: /ˈkɒnˌtɹæk.tə(ɹ)/

Inflected Forms

contractors (plural)

Derived Forms

contractorization noncontractor subcontractor

Phrases

contractor combatant dust contractor general contractor independent contractor main contractor prime contractor private military contractor

Frequently Paired Words

contract

Synonyms

contractile organ declarer

Rhymes With

subcontractor

Questions

How do you pronounce contractor?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈkɒnˌtɹæk.tə(ɹ)/.
What does contractor mean?: A person or company that builds or improves buildings or structures.
Where does contractor come from?: It is traced to Latin. First known use: First attested in the 16th century.

How to pronounce contractor

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “contractor”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈkɒnˌtɹæk.tə(ɹ)/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “contractor”.
Repeat and practice — Say “contractor” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.