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Employee Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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employee

em-ploy-ee

🇺🇸 /ɛmˈpɫɔɪi/ · 🇬🇧 /ɛmplˈɔɪiː/

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

workplace

A person employed for wages or salary, especially at nonexecutive level.

Synonyms

laborer, staff member, worker.

Examples of usage

  • He was an employee of the company for over 10 years.
  • The number of employees in the office has been increasing.
  • She is a dedicated employee who always goes the extra mile.
  • The company provides various benefits for its employees.
  • Employees are required to attend a training session next week.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Quick facts about “employee”

Employee is a 3-syllable noun (em-ploy-ee). It is pronounced /ɛmˈpɫɔɪi/ in American English and /ɛmplˈɔɪiː/ in British English. On finesentence.com it has 1 meaning, 3 synonyms, and translations into 21 languages. It ranks #1,200 among the most common English words.

Did you know?

“employee” in historical context

  • During the Industrial Revolution, the concept of an employee became more defined as factories required a large workforce.
  • The rise of trade unions in the 20th century helped establish rights and protections for employees.
  • The introduction of the Social Security Act in the 1930s changed how employees interacted with employers in the U.S.

“employee” in work culture

  • In many cultures, being an employee is not just a job, but a key part of identity and societal status.
  • The relationship between an employer and an employee can vary widely, affecting job satisfaction and workplace culture.
  • Remote work has reshaped the traditional notion of what it means to be an employee in the modern workforce.

“employee” in legal aspects

  • Employees in many countries have certain rights guaranteed by law, such as minimum wage and safe working conditions.
  • The distinction between employees and independent contractors is crucial in determining tax obligations and benefits.
  • Labor laws continue to evolve to accommodate changes in employment practices, especially in gig and freelance work.

“employee” in pop culture

  • Movies like '9 to 5' and 'Office Space' humorously portray the challenges and quirks of being a working employee.
  • Television shows often highlight the dynamics of office life, emphasizing the relationships between employees and management.
  • The term has entered common slang, often used in memes and jokes about work-life and office environments.

Origin of 'employee'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'employee' comes from the French word 'employé', meaning 'one who is employed'.
  • Its roots can be traced back to the Latin word 'implicare', which means 'to involve or entangle'.
  • The term was popularized in English during the 19th century as businesses grew and hired more workers.

The word 'employee' originated from the Latin word 'implicāre', meaning 'to involve'. Over time, it evolved to refer to a person who is hired to work for someone else in exchange for payment. The concept of employment has been a fundamental part of human societies for centuries, allowing individuals to contribute their skills and expertise in exchange for financial compensation.


See also: employ, employed, employees, employer, employing, employment, misemploy, underemployment, unemployed, unemployment.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #1,200, this word is part of core intermediate vocabulary. It appears regularly in various contexts and is essential for natural-sounding English.