minion

noun

min·​ion ˈmin-yən 

1

: a servile dependent, follower, or underling

He's one of the boss's minions.

2

: one highly favored : idol

… his great charity to the poor renders him the minion of the people …

—Jonas Hanway

3

: a subordinate (see subordinate entry 1 sense 1) or petty official

government minions

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The Origins of Minion

Minion comes from Middle French and is related to filet mignon. The two terms are connected by mignon, meaning "darling." The earliest uses of minion refer to someone who is a particular favorite of a sovereign or other important personage. Over time, however, the word developed a more derogatory sense referring to a person who is servile and unimportant.

Synonyms of minion

• favorite
• darling
• pet

Examples of minion in a Sentence

one of the boss's minions

most of the top appointments went to the new governor's personal minions and political cronies

Recent Examples on the Web

Perhaps if this was any team other than the Yankees — where all of Hal Steinbrenner’s minions appear to have lifetime contracts — Aaron Boone’s status as manager would be coming under intense scrutiny about now. — Bill Madden, New York Daily News, 4 July 2026

The minions have appeared in six films since — three Despicable Me movies and, making the jump from sidekicks to stars, three Minions movies. — Taylor Swinton, Washington Post, 3 July 2026

While on a boat, the minions encounter a shark, referencing Jaws (1975), made extra obvious by a music cue channeling John Williams' memorable score. — Barry Levitt, Time, 3 July 2026

Zoey Deutch wears minion yellow to the Los Angeles premiere of Minions & Monsters on June 28. — Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle French mignon darling

First Known Use

circa 1500, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for minion

• inion
• minyan
• pinion
• pinyon
• dominion
• opinion

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Kids Definition

minion

noun

min·​ion ˈmin-yən 

1

: a person who obediently serves or works for a usually powerful person or organization

2

: favorite entry 1 sense 1