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

The warm welcome, exacting attention to detail, and discreet ubiquity of the Raffles butlers more than live up to the high expectation Raffles has established as a brand. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Oct. 2026

This is the kind of show where an opulent tea party is dramatized not just by many different plates of fancy pastries, fancy wreaths and lots of furniture, but by having all that stuff carted in by a dozen or so butlers, maids and other servants. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 1 Oct. 2026

The first floor, which alone spans over 7,000 square feet, hosted a guest suite, a study, a living room, a dining room, and a den with access to a porch, while the kitchen featured a butler’s pantry and an adjacent breakfast room. — Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 28 Sep. 2026

As the book continues to make headlines, Princess Diana’s butler Paul Burrell is among former courtiers who have spoken out in defense of King Charles. — Katie Nicholl, Vanity Fair, 28 Sep. 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

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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