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

• darling
• fave
• favorite
• pet
• preference
• speed

Example Sentences

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

Satan's minion? —ELLE, 4 May 2022

On the other was a group of over 100 devout adults and children, who barricaded themselves inside Mount Carmel when the feds arrived, believing Koresh’s preaching that the agents outside their doors were Satan’s minions, commencing the final battle of the end-times. —Noel Murray, Chron, 10 Apr. 2023

And, if that wasn't enough, Singh's minions find them and they're forced to jump ship. —Samantha Olson, Seventeen, 27 Feb. 2023

Whitney apologizes for calling Jennie a minion. —Scott D. Pierce, The Salt Lake Tribune, 27 Feb. 2022

Bamford, while cutting in and out of the lives of Hollywood’s panjandrums, takes us to Pyongyang, where Kim’s minions are stealing money and cryptocurrency while wreaking havoc on computer systems around the world. —Tim Weiner, The New Republic, 27 Mar. 2023

One or multiple of his minions and peers—filial or otherwise—confront him on the battlefield. —Lauren Puckett-pope, ELLE, 26 Mar. 2023

Then again, if GoJo acquires Waystar, all of Logan’s aforementioned minions could find themselves out of the job before long. —Josh Wigler, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Mar. 2023

The minions portrayed by the youngest actors are like Keystone Kops, Daebelliehn said. —Sheryl Devore, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Middle French mignon darling

First Known Use

circa 1500, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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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