“Colleague” vs. “Coworker”: What’s the Difference?

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The difference between “colleague” and “coworker”

  • Colleagues are people who work in the same profession but do not necessarily work directly with you, while coworkers are typically people with whom you would work together with directly.
  • The word colleague has a more formal and professional connotation, while the word coworker is used in more casual contexts.
  • Coworkers usually work in the same office location, while colleagues may work in different locations.
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What is the definition of “colleague” and “coworker”?

Colleague
  • A colleague is a person with whom one works in a professional or business setting.
  • Colleagues usually have similar qualifications or job titles and work together towards a common goal.
  • Colleagues often have professional relationships that extend beyond the workplace.
Coworker
  • A coworker is a person who works alongside another person, usually in the same organization or department.
  • Coworkers may or may not have similar job titles or qualifications.
  • Coworkers are often referred to as team members, depending on the workplace culture.

Which is the more popular variant on the Internet?

“Colleague” is the more popular variant on the web.
More popular
Colleague
230,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. My colleague and I collaborated on a project, and it turned out great.
  2. My colleagues are always willing to lend a helping hand when I need it.
  3. I look forward to catching up with my colleagues at our weekly team meetings.
Coworker
41,400,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. Last week, my coworker and I had to work late to finish a deadline.
  2. My coworkers and I enjoy grabbing lunch together during our break.
  3. I appreciate how my coworker always goes above and beyond to ensure our team's success.
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