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

Amenities at the property include butler service, a plunge pool with sun deck, a pavillion for yoga or spa treatments, gym, and a terrace for outdoor dining. —Catherine Sabino, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025

Holding court in the east wing are a formal dining room, a gourmet kitchen with a butler’s pantry, a family room, and staff quarters, plus a lavish primary suite boasting a private balcony, walk-in closets, a luxe bath, a fitness room, and a den. —Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 9 May 2025

Other perks include the line’s Premium Extra beverage package; Wi-Fi; priority access to entertainment venues; access to the onboard spa’s thermal area; 24-hour butler and concierge service and more. —Nathan Diller, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025

One of them is training a machine to be a butler and will soon test them in homes. —Cade Metz, New York Times, 4 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

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