Simple Definition of mercenary
-
: a soldier who is paid by a foreign country to fight in its army : a soldier who will fight for any group or country that hires him
Examples of mercenary in a sentence
an army of foreign mercenaries
Origin and Etymology of mercenary
Middle English, from Latin mercenarius, irregular from merced-, merces wages — more at mercy
First Known Use: 14th century
mercenary
Simple Definition of mercenary
-
: hired to fight
-
: caring only about making money
Full Definition of mercenary
Examples of mercenary in a sentence
His motives in choosing a career were purely mercenary.
<they were a mercenary couple, who defined themselves not by what they were but by what they owned>
1532
First Known Use of mercenary
1532
MERCENARY Defined for Kids
Definition of mercenary for Students
mercenaries
: a soldier paid by a foreign country to fight in its army
Definition of mercenary for Students
1 : doing something only for the pay or reward
2 : greedy for money <I may be mercenary, but I hate poverty … — Louisa May Alcott, Little Women>
Learn More about mercenary
-
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for mercenary Spanish Central: Translation of mercenary Nglish: Translation of mercenary for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of mercenary for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mercenary
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up mercenary? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!