joiner

[joi-ner]

See more synonyms for joiner on Thesaurus.com

noun

a person or thing that joins.
a carpenter, especially one who constructs doors, window sashes, paneling, and other permanent woodwork.
a person who belongs to many clubs, associations, societies, etc., often from indiscriminate enthusiasm, for increased status, to make business or social contacts, or the like.

Origin of joiner

1350–1400; join + -er¹; replacing Middle English joinour < Anglo-French joignour, equivalent to joign- (see join) + -our -or²

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for joiner

representative, crony, cohort, comrade, buddy, assistant, accomplice, fellow, friend, collaborator, partner, companion, ally, co-worker, laborer, builder, worker, artisan, woodworker, cabinetmaker

Examples from the Web for joiner

Contemporary Examples of joiner

For most of my adult life, I have always felt independent of any political party--an observer rather than a joiner.
Piers Morgan’s Comeback Strategy
Shelley Ross
February 27, 2014
Young Judith Blum was never a joiner in school, never popular, never athletic, never part of any cliques.
The Real Queen of Daytime
Rebecca Dana
March 3, 2010

Historical Examples of joiner

He left long before I did, and went to learn his trade of a joiner in the city.
Rico and Wiseli
Johanna Spyri
There were tools and a joiner's bench in an outhouse, and there he worked.
The Great Hunger
Johan Bojer
So after all, these first houses were rather poor specimens of the joiner's craft.
Old Rail Fence Corners
Various
He did not finish the sentence; the joiner's plane had hurtled close past his head.
The Gods are Athirst
Anatole France
The joiner felt to the bottom of his pockets, but could find nothing.
Journeys Through Bookland, Vol. 7
Charles H. Sylvester

British Dictionary definitions for joiner

joiner

noun

mainly British a person trained and skilled in making finished woodwork, such as windows, doors, and stairs
a person or thing that joins
informal a person who joins many clubs, causes, etc

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

Word Origin and History for joiner

early 14c. (late 12c. as a surname), joynour "maker of furniture, small boxes, etc.," from Old French joigneor "joiner, carpenter," agent noun from joindre "to join" (see join). A craftsman who did lighter and more ornamental work than a carpenter. Meaning "one who makes a habit of joining" (societies, clubs, etc.) is from 1890. Related: Joinery.