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

Think a sommelier, animal tracker, driver, masseuse, porter, butler, culinary team, and beyond. —Katy Spratte Joyce, Travel + Leisure, 20 July 2024

Jim Carter, who famously played Carson the master butler on Downton Abbey, clearly was taken by the leading artist giving a terrifically moving performance as Dolly Gallagher Levi upon the London Palladium stage. —Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 19 July 2024

Inside the hotel The hotel has nine room and suite levels, each with butler service and balconies outfitted with an outdoor tub or plunge pool. —Zenith Wong, CNBC, 18 July 2024

In addition, each residence comes with a personal butler service and a berth at the marina. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 15 July 2024

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

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