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Synonyms

builder

American  
[bil-der] / ˈbɪl dər /

noun

  1. a person who builds.

  2. a person who constructs buildings under contract or as a speculation.

  3. a substance, as an abrasive or filler, added to soaps or other cleaning agents to increase their effectiveness.

builder British  
/ ˈbɪldə /

noun

  1. a person who builds, esp one who contracts for and supervises the construction or repair of buildings

  2. a substance added to a soap or detergent as a filler or abrasive

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • underbuilder noun

Etymology

Origin of builder

First recorded in 1350–1400, builder is from the Middle English word bildere. See build, -er 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The longtime prime minister proved to be a better entertainer than he was a builder.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

The market is still hurting from low supply and dented consumer confidence—but it’s not a bad time to buy select home builder stocks that have already felt the pain.

From Barron's • Apr. 12, 2026

Kim upgraded the PulteGroup and luxury builder Toll Brothers to Outperform, along with the materials company Masco.

From Barron's • Apr. 12, 2026

The author is a community builder, writer and yoga teacher.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

To be a man, a doer, a builder, a leader, or to be a tool, an unfunny joke, a crusher of funky toadstools.

From "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.