footman

noun foot·man \ ˈfu̇t-mən \

|Updated on: 11 Aug 2018

Definition of footman

1 a archaic : a traveler on foot : pedestrian

b : infantryman

2 a : a servant in livery formerly attending a rider or required to run in front of his master's carriage

b : a servant who serves at table, tends the door, and runs errands

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Recent Examples of footman from the Web

Henry de Greffulhe treated her abysmally, openly carrying on serial affairs with dozens of women all over Paris, his footman ordered to present them with bouquets of orchids every day.

— moira hodgson, WSJ, "‘Proust’s Duchess’ Review: The Guermantes Trio," 5 July 2018
The busiest time of year was pheasant season, from October to the end of January; guests often arrived in helicopters that landed in the deer park, footmen gathering their luggage and ushering them inside.

— david usborne, Town & Country, "The Mysterious Case of the Parnham House Fire," 29 May 2018
In one episode, Lord Grantham excuses the homosexual behavior of his footman, Thomas, saying such incidents happened regular when Lord Grantham attended Eton, a private school.

— lorraine boissoneault, Smithsonian, "The True Story of “A Very English Scandal” and the Trials of a Closeted Gay Politician," 27 June 2018
This is rumored to be because Elizabeth’s was allegedly misplaced by a footman and went missing at some point during her wedding day — much to the dismay of the official photographer.

— jennifer hassan, Washington Post, "Meghan Markle, Prince Harry and the pressures of royal wedding traditions," 16 May 2018
This is rumored to be because Elizabeth’s was allegedly misplaced by a footman and went missing at some point during her wedding day - much to the dismay of the official photographer.

— jennifer hassan, BostonGlobe.com, "A look at the royal wedding traditions — and pressures — that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry face," 16 May 2018
Bullen said Burrell, who started off his career as the queen’s footman before working for Diana and her sons as the family butler, isn’t surprised by Harry's determination to protect his fiancee from media scrutiny.

— stephanie nolasco, Fox News, "Meghan Markle will struggle with royal life if she doesn't play by monarchy rules, warn palace insiders," 10 May 2018
Instead of run-of-the-mill butlers, there are red-liveried footmen, a detail that could read as tacky if not for the splendid surroundings and royal family legacy.

— amy tara koch, New York Times, "A Road Map to Shopping Like a Royal in London," 9 May 2018
These included a lady-in-waiting, a maid, a footman, a physician, a cook, and a tutor.

— michael joseph gross, Vanities, "“There’s Nothing Wrong with Falling from Grace”: The Global Network of Monarchists Helping Deposed Kings and Queens," 27 Apr. 2018

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

First Known Use of footman

14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1b

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FOOTMAN Defined for English Language Learners

footman

noun

Definition of footman for English Language Learners

: a male servant who lets visitors into a house and serves food at the dinner table

FOOTMAN Defined for Kids

footman

noun foot·man \ ˈfu̇t-mən \

Definition of footman for Students

plural footmen \-mən\

: a male servant who performs various duties (as letting visitors in and serving food)

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Spanish Central: Translation of footman Nglish: Translation of footman for Spanish speakers

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footman

Definition of footman

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Definition of footman for English Language Learners

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