Co-worker vs. Coworker: What's the Difference?
Learn why co-worker and coworker are both correct, which form is now more common, how style guides treat the hyphen, and when consistency matters.
Co-worker and coworker are both correct. Coworker, without a hyphen, is now the common modern spelling in American workplace writing, while co-worker remains an accepted variant and may be required by a house style. Choose one form and use it consistently.
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At 2:30 p.m., an employee handbook uses coworker on one page and co-worker on the next. The meanings are identical, so the editor follows the organization's dictionary preference and standardizes the document.
Co-worker vs. Coworker at a glance
| Word | Typical role | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| co-worker | Hyphenated noun variant | a person who works with another | A co-worker reviewed the presentation before the meeting. |
| coworker | Closed compound noun | a colleague or fellow worker | Ask a coworker to check the instructions. |
How to use co-worker
Co-worker reflects the visible prefix co-, meaning together or jointly. The hyphen remains accepted and can aid readability in less familiar co- formations. Some publications and organizations retain it as their preferred style.
A co-worker reviewed the presentation before the meeting.
How to use coworker
Coworker is the increasingly common closed form, especially in American English and digital workplace writing. It follows the tendency of familiar compounds to lose their hyphens over time. Its plural is coworkers.
Ask a coworker to check the instructions.
Rules that make the choice easier
Prefer coworker as a modern default
When no style is specified, coworker is a clear and widely recognized choice.
Keep co-worker when house style requires it
The hyphenated variant is correct, so preserve it in organizations that standardize on that spelling.
Stay consistent within one document
Because the forms have no meaning distinction, unexplained switching looks like an editing error.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Do not claim co-worker is a misspelling.
- Do not alternate the two forms in the same editorial voice.
- Do not insert a space and write co worker in standard prose.
Quick practice
1. Which form is the common modern US default?
Answer: coworker
2. Is co-worker also correct?
Answer: Yes
3. Do the forms have different meanings?
Answer: No
Frequently asked questions
Is it co-worker or coworker?
Both are correct; coworker is the common modern default in American English.
Does coworker need a hyphen?
No. The closed spelling coworker is standard, though co-worker remains accepted.
Is co worker with a space correct?
No. Use coworker or the hyphenated co-worker.
What is the plural of coworker?
The plural is coworkers, or co-workers if using the hyphenated style.