servant

noun

ser·​vant ˈsər-vənt 

: one that serves others

a public servant

especially : one that performs duties about the person or home of a master or personal employer

servanthood

ˈsər-vənt-ˌhu̇d 

noun

servantless adjective

Synonyms

• steward
• maid
• housekeeper
• butler
• flunkey
• lackey

Examples of servant in a Sentence

the wealthy family had servants to clean and cook for them

Recent Examples on the Web

Since Julia’s arrival at Castle Leathers, Davina Porter (Sara Vickers), the long-time servant of Lord Lovat and the mother of Brian, has suspected that Julia is pregnant. —Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025

The first such center was established in Taylor, Michigan, with others eventually popping up in Florida, Texas and Missouri — all of them making money off the backs of servants who allegedly were forced to work for free. —Tresa Baldas, Freep.com, 27 Aug. 2025

Viola disguises herself as a boy named Cesario and becomes a servant to Duke Orsino (Khris Davis). —Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2025

But the top lot might be the notorious bell wall, which clattered incessantly to alert the servants to the desires and whims of their employers. —Air Mail, 23 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English servant, sarvaunt "person serving a master or lord, retainer, attendant," borrowed from Anglo-French, noun derivative from past participle of servir "to be in attendance on, serve entry 1"

Note: Compare sergeant.

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing servant

• bond servant
• civil servant
• fellow servant
• indentured servant
• public servant

Rhymes for servant

• fervent
• maidservant
• manservant
• observant

Kids Definition

servant

noun

ser·​vant ˈsər-vənt 

: one that serves others

especially : a person hired to perform household or personal services

Etymology

Middle English servant "servant," from early French servant (same meaning), from a form of servir "to serve," from Latin servire "to be a slave, serve," from servus "slave, servant" — related to serf

Legal Definition

servant

noun

ser·​vant

: a person who serves others: as

a

: an individual who performs duties about the person or home of a master or personal employer

b

: a person in the employ and subject to the direction or control of an individual or company see also respondeat superior compare agent, master