butler

noun

but·​ler ˈbət-lər 

1

: a manservant having charge of the wines and liquors

2

: the chief male servant of a household who has charge of other employees, receives guests, directs the serving of meals, and performs various personal services

Examples of butler in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Despite its size–there are 320 accommodations on the property– the five-star hospitality and option for premium butler service makes the place feel intimate. —Monica Mendal, Vogue, 15 Apr. 2024

Francisco Nogueira Cheval Blanc St-Barth comes with a dedicated butler service. —Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2024

The home comes with six bedrooms, 6 ½ bathrooms, a guesthouse, a home theater, a butler's kitchen, two washers and dryers, wood shutters, two islands, a 500-bottle wine cooler, a pool with a rock cave and a waterfall, and a putting green. —Catherine Reagor, The Arizona Republic, 1 Apr. 2024

Call the butler and get out the fine china because Downton Abbey is coming back. —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 20 Mar. 2024

Guests at the villa also have access to butler service, fresh flowers in the room, and 24/7 room service. —Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2024

What parents will love Parents can relax while their children are cared for by a nanny or family butler who provides 24-hour room service. —Karen Cicero, Parents, 8 Mar. 2024

No corners were cut in the high-end chef’s kitchen that is complete with a butler’s pantry, a lounge, and a full suite of appliances from Miele and Wolf, plus custom dark wood cabinets by Poliform and Varenna. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2024

To Feature Game Changing Super Fast Upgrade New Leak Claims Every detail of your stay is carefully calibrated, from the welcoming cup of Arabic coffee and butler assigned to you upon arrival to the (at-minimum) 600-thread-count sheets that envelop you at night. —Forbes Travel Guide, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English buteler, from Anglo-French butiller, from Old French botele bottle — more at bottle

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing butler

• butler's pantry
• silent butler

Kids Definition

butler

noun

but·​ler ˈbət-lər 

: a chief male household servant

Etymology

Middle English buteler "household servant in charge of wines," from early French butiller (same meaning), from botele "bottle," derived from Latin buttis "cask"

Biographical Definition

Butler 1 of 5

biographical name (1)

But·​ler ˈbət-lər 

Benjamin Franklin 1818–1893 American general and politician

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biographical name (2)

Joseph 1692–1752 English theologian

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biographical name (3)

Nicholas Murray 1862–1947 American educator; president Columbia University (1901–45)

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biographical name (4)

Samuel 1612–1680 English satirical poet

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biographical name (5)

Samuel 1835–1902 English novelist and satirist