butler

noun

but·ler ˈbət-lər

: a manservant having charge of the wines and liquors

: 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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web To differentiate between the living room and kitchen, the kitchen cabinets and adjacent butler’s pantry are a darker blue. —

Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Mar. 2023 There are even two presidential suites with top-notch amenities like personalized butler service. —

Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 20 Mar. 2023 The kitchen spans 1,500 square feet and features two islands and a separate butler’s pantry. —

Shannon Larson, BostonGlobe.com, 20 Mar. 2023 Here, interior designer Thom Filicia shellacked a butler’s pantry in a Connecticut farmhouse in a tempting chocolate hue. —

Anna Fixsen, ELLE Decor, 15 Mar. 2023 As for accommodations, charter members will receive preferred room rates at St. Regis Aspen, VIP ground transportation to and from the resort and 24/7 butler service. —

Dana Givens, Robb Report, 9 Feb. 2023 Each luxury accommodation has a private plunge pool and butler service, with turndown service and romantic amenities like silk linens and bathrobes. —

Jordi Lippe-mcgraw, Forbes, 6 Feb. 2023 Between the kitchen and dining room is a butler’s pantry. —

Mary Carole Mccauley, Baltimore Sun, 22 Feb. 2023 The butler’s pantry, which connects to the kitchen, includes a small basin with a drain built into the countertop that, Kobell said, was designed to be filled with ice to chill champagne or wine. —

Dallas News, 10 Sep. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'butler.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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

Time Traveler

The first known use of butler was in the 13th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Butler.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/butler. Accessed 29 Mar. 2023.

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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"