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

On the top deck at the stern of the ship, there were three suites set up under the stars for sleeping al fresco if the residents so desired, with butler service of course. —Gillian Telling, People.com, 26 Apr. 2025

In the trailer Season 4 of the Emmy-winning program, streaming May 15 on Netflix, MrBeast leads a galactic gladiator ring with dinosaur-riding mutants and John Oliver plays an adorable robot butler. —Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 24 Apr. 2025

Raffles’ legendary butlers elevate each stay with thoughtful, anything-is-possible service. —Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2025

More on Brad Holland Brad Holland, 81, Dies; His Subversive Art Reinvented Illustration April 13, 2025 This particular assignment was to illustrate an essay by P.G. Wodehouse, the British author and humorist who created Jeeves, the consummate butler to the hapless Bertie Wooster. —Penelope Green, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025

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

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biographical name (2)

Joseph 1692–1752 English theologian

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biographical name (3)

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

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biographical name (4)

Samuel 1612–1680 English satirical poet

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biographical name (5)

Samuel 1835–1902 English novelist and satirist