Words / B2

k-uh-n-TRAKT-uh/kənˈtræktə/

A contractor is a person or company hired to do a job under a contract: an outside contractor, a building contractor. Employee is on the payroll; contractor is hired for a defined job. Contract is already in the dictionary. In speech, a hired company / a hired worker is enough. Do not call a permanent teacher a contractor, and do not confuse contractor with contractee (rare) or with the legal verb contract (catch an illness / make an agreement).

Meaning

A person or company hired to do a particular job under a contract.

Examples

• “An outside contractor installed the new heating.”
• “A contractor fitted the new boilers while the caretaker stayed on site.”
• “Using a contractor saved a permanent post, and it also meant no one owned the aftercare.”

Good to know

A hired company/worker under a contract. Contrast: employee (on the payroll). Everyday: a hired firm. Not a permanent staff member.

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