Etymologically
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builder

Etymology and origin of the English word builder

History Permalink
Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
late 13th century
From
Middle English bilder

Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ˈbɪl.də/ (UK); /ˈbɪl.dɚ/ (US)[1]

Etymology

It is inherited from Middle English bilder, an agent noun from bilden (“to build”) (see build) and -er.[2][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

One who builds, especially one who directs construction: the late 13th century in Etymonline, about 1380 in the OED.[3][4]

Semantic evolution

In a spinning machine the builder regulates how yarn is wound, from 1884,[4] and in soaps and detergents a builder is a substance added to increase their efficiency, from 1931.[4] A builders' merchant supplies the building trade.[4]

Timeline

  • late 13th century – one who builds.[3]
  • c. 1380 – builder (OED).[4]
  • 1884 – part of a spinning machine.[4]
  • 1931 – a builder in detergents.[4]

Modern meaning

Noun

  1. A person who builds, especially one who contracts for and supervises the construction or repair of buildings.
  2. A substance added to soap or detergent to improve it.

Word family

  • boatbuilder
  • bodybuilder
  • homebuilder
  • shipbuilder
  • underbuilder
  • master builder
  • mound builder

References

  1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  3. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
Cite this entry

“Builder.” Etymologically, 17 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/en/builder. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·