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

Like any other guest at a Beaches resort, pickleball players can indulge in all-you-can-eat meals and butler service, swimming pools and waterpark, scuba diving and paddleboarding, tennis, yoga and kid’s games. —Joe Yogerst, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025

Where to Stay: The St. Regis Riyadh offers a contemporary stay complete with butler service, afternoon tea, and rooftop dining. —Mo Noubani, Travel + Leisure, 12 Aug. 2025

That would be William Holden doing the honors and both he and Swanson were nominated for Oscars, along with Nancy Olson as Betty Schaefer, a script reader who falls for Gillis, and the inimitable Erich von Stroheim who plays Max, Desmond’s ex-husband and loyal butler. —Pete Hammond, Deadline, 8 Aug. 2025

Villas dial up the exclusivity with butler service, full kitchens, and access to a separate clubhouse and pool. —John Vorwald, Robb Report, 4 Aug. 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

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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

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biographical name (5)

Samuel 1835–1902 English novelist and satirist