Definition

Noun: A person, typically a skilled worker, whose primary job is to keep equipment, buildings, or machinery in good working order by performing repairs and routine checks.

Usage

The term "maintenance man" refers to an individual employed to preserve the condition and functionality of physical assets. It is a compound noun where "maintenance" describes the type of work and "man" specifies the person performing it. While historically common, the term is increasingly being replaced by more gender-neutral alternatives like "maintenance worker" or "maintenance technician."

Examples

• The maintenance man fixed the leaky faucet in the apartment kitchen.
• We need to call the maintenance man because the elevator is not working.
• The school maintenance man checks the heating system every winter.

Advanced Usage

• The term can sometimes imply a generalist who handles a wide variety of basic repairs (e.g., plumbing, electrical, carpentry), as opposed to a specialist like an "electrician" or "plumber."
• In some contexts, it may be part of a job title, e.g., "Chief Maintenance Man," though such titles are also evolving.

Variants and Related Words

• Maintenance worker: A direct, gender-neutral synonym.
• Maintenance technician: Often implies a higher level of technical skill or specialization.
• Custodian or Janitor: These roles may include maintenance tasks but typically focus more on cleaning and general upkeep.
• Handyman: Often refers to someone who does small repair jobs, sometimes self-employed, rather than a full-time employee for a single organization.

Synonyms

• Repairman
• Service technician
• Facilities worker

Antonyms

• Operator (one who uses equipment, rather than repairs it)
• Tenant (one who occupies a building but is not responsible for its upkeep)

Noun

1. a skilled worker whose job is to repair things