What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dockworker
Example
The dockworker carefully loaded the crates onto the ship. [dockworker: noun]
Example
She has been working as a dockworker for over a decade. [dockworker: noun]
longshoreman
Example
The longshoreman used the crane to lift the containers off the ship. [longshoreman: noun]
Example
He started working as a longshoreman after finishing high school. [longshoreman: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Longshoreman is a more specific term and is more commonly used in North America, while dockworker is a more general term that can be used in any country. Both terms are less common in everyday language and are more likely to be used in professional or industrial contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between dockworker and longshoreman?
Both dockworker and longshoreman are relatively informal terms and are unlikely to be used in formal contexts. However, longshoreman may be slightly more formal due to its association with labor unions and legal regulations.