livery

1 of 2

noun

liv·​ery ˈli-və-rē 

ˈliv-rē

plural liveries

1

a

: a concern offering vehicles (such as boats) for rent

a canoe livery

an automobile livery

b

: the feeding, stabling, and care of horses for pay

c

: livery stable

2

a

chiefly British : an identifying design (as on a vehicle) that designates ownership

b

: a servant's uniform

c

: the distinctive clothing or badge formerly worn by the retainers (see retainer entry 1 sense 1) of a person of rank

d

: distinctive dress : garb

a nun's traditional livery

3

: the act of delivering legal possession of property

4

archaic : the apportioning of provisions especially to servants : allowance

5

archaic

a

: one's retainers or retinue

b

: the members of a British livery company

livery

2 of 2

adjective

1

: resembling liver

2

: suggesting liver disorder

Synonyms

Noun

• outfit
• uniform

Examples of livery in a Sentence

Noun

the limousine chauffeur was easily distinguished from the cab drivers by his livery

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Each example features a three-tone livery that combines Atlas Blue, Oxford White, and Code Orange (marking the first time the color has been available on a model other than the Raptor). —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2024

The first—Ownership—showcases an enslaved person’s livery from 19th century Maryland. —Nicole Phelps, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2024

Adjective

Across the street is a livery cab service owned by Kevin Rosario (Jimmy Smits), who came to New York from Puerto Rico and poured his hopes into his daughter, Nina (Leslie Grace). —New York Times, 9 June 2021

During the pandemic, some local fleet managers who rented cars to Uber and Lyft drivers re-registered the vehicles for non-livery use and began renting to folks making deliveries for companies like DoorDash and Uber Eats. —Anne Kadet, WSJ, 8 June 2021

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French liveree, livree, literally, delivery, from liverer to deliver, from Latin liberare to free — more at liberate

Adjective

see liver entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Adjective

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing livery

• livery company
• livery stable

Kids Definition

livery

noun

liv·​ery

ˈliv-(ə-)rē

plural liveries

1

: a special uniform worn by the servants of a wealthy household

a footman in livery

2

: the clothing worn to distinguish an association of persons

the livery of a school

3

a

: the feeding, care, and stabling of horses for pay

b

: the keeping of horses and vehicles for hire

c

: livery stable

Medical Definition

livery

adjective

liv·​ery ˈliv-ə-rē 

: suggesting liver disorder : liverish