employer
gb/ɪmplˈɔɪɚ/ us/ɪmplˈɔɪɚ/
A2
English
~ 1400
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
Person or company that hires workers
A person or company that gives people jobs and pays them.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is an employer of [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'employer' with 'employee'. Remember: the employer gives the job; the employee does the job.
Synonyms
boss (Informal term for a person in charge; usually refers to an individual rather than an organization.)
|
manager (Refers to someone who manages staff but may not be the legal employer.)
|
owner (Applies when the employer also owns the business.)
Antonyms
employee (An employee works for an employer, making it the opposite role.)
Collocations
prospective employer
|current employer
|former employer
|employer responsibilities
|employer benefits
Themes
business
|work
|law
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The new employer offers excellent health insurance.
- Her employer encouraged her to take professional development courses.
- Employers must follow workplace safety regulations.
- I had to provide references to my prospective employer.
- The employer agreed to increase wages after negotiations.
Learner examples
- My employer gives me two days off each week.
- The employer pays all the workers on Friday.
- She likes her employer because he is kind.
- An employer must pay workers on time.
- I meet my employer every Monday morning.
Grammar
Dictionary form
employer
IPA
GB/ɪmplˈɔɪɚ/
US/ɪmplˈɔɪɚ/
Syllables & stress
em - ploy - er (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ploy)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: employer
- Plural: employers
Word family
Forms
employers
noun
Core family
Negative and opposite forms
unemployed
adjective B1
unemployment
noun B1
Advanced or less common
employable
adjective
employability
noun
Expressions
current employer
1/kˈɚənt ɪmplˈɔɪɚ/
fixed phrase
Your present boss or company
The person or company you work for now.
Examples
- My current employer is based in New York.
- She spoke with her current employer about taking leave.
employer of choice
1/ɪmplˈɔɪɚ əv t͡ʃˈɔɪs/
fixed phrase
formal
Highly desirable company to work for
A company that many people want to work for because it is a good place to work.
Examples
- The tech giant is considered an employer of choice in the industry.
- They aim to become an employer of choice through better benefits.
former employer
1/fˈɔɹmɚ ɪmplˈɔɪɚ/
fixed phrase
Previous person or company you worked for
The person or company you worked for before your current job.
Examples
- My former employer gave me a great reference.
- She still keeps in touch with her former employer.
prospective employer
1/pɹəspˈɛktɪv ɪmplˈɔɪɚ/
fixed phrase
possible future boss or company
A company or person that may give you a job in the future.
Examples
- He dressed smartly to impress his prospective employer.
- You should research every prospective employer before an interview.
- A prospective employer called me for an interview.
- She sent her résumé to three prospective employers.