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

Each room receives a butler (mine had been with the company for ten plus years) who anticipates your every need–brings you coffee in the morning and collects your laundry. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Apr. 2026

The kitchen and laundry room have been restructured to remove an old butler’s pantry and maid’s quarters. —India Roby, Architectural Digest, 8 Apr. 2026

After Diana’s death in 1999, her former butler, Paul Burrell, reportedly took her sons William and Harry to their Kensington Palace apartment to choose keepsakes from her belongings. —Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 8 Apr. 2026

For an ultra-exclusive experience, families can book suites within the MSC Yacht Club, a ship-within-a-ship concept featuring private, uncrowded spaces and 24-hour butler service. —Linnea Bailey, Southern Living, 8 Apr. 2026

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

Rhymes for butler

• cutler
• sutler

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

Butler

2 of 5

biographical name (2)

Joseph 1692–1752 English theologian

Butler

3 of 5

biographical name (3)

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

Butler

4 of 5

biographical name (4)

Samuel 1612–1680 English satirical poet

Butler

5 of 5

biographical name (5)

Samuel 1835–1902 English novelist and satirist