servant

noun ser·vant \ ˈsər-vənt \

Updated on: 11 Sep 2017

Definition of servant

:one that serves others

a public servant

; especially :one that performs duties about the person or home of a master or personal employer

—

servanthood

play \ˈsər-vənt-ˌhu̇d\ noun

—

servantless

adjective

See servant defined for English-language learners

See servant defined for kids

Examples of servant in a Sentence

the wealthy family had servants to clean and cook for them

Recent Examples of servant from the Web

When Bayside opened for business downtown in 1987, Taylor made the transition from public servant to entrepreneur.

— by shayne benowitz, miamiherald, "‘Miami’s merchant to the millions’ began by breaking boundaries," 27 Aug. 2017
Not surprising, for the legendary public servant himself, Sir Winston Churchill, expected no less from men counted among his associates.

— Cincinnati.com, "Column: Bulldogs at Moeller High School," 23 Aug. 2017
Civil servant groups have vowed to protest the measure.

— rachel gamarski, Bloomberg.com, "Brazil Public Finances Need Growth and Friendly Politicians," 17 Aug. 2017
There are 13 suites with bathrooms, drinks, food, televisions, and a staff of eight servants—er, attendants.

— adam popescu, vanityfair.com, "Inside the Private, Celebrity-Friendly Terminal at LAX," 16 Aug. 2017
Miftah Ismail, chairman of the Board of Investment, reckons that the country, with a workforce of 65m, has around 10m domestic servants.

— The Economist, "The pushmi-pullyuWhat makes Pakistan so unfathomable," 22 July 2017
Aunt Jemima was a brand of foods, owned by the Quaker Oats Company, that uses a stereotypical image of a black servant woman as its mascot.

— paula rogo, Essence.com, "This Black Woman Was Called An Aunt Jemima By Her Doctor," 17 July 2017
Last month, Oliver was indicted on two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon by a public servant in an unrelated incident, where he is accused of displaying a gun during a traffic accident.

— claudia lauer, The Seattle Times, "Ex-Texas officer indicted on murder charge in teen’s death," 17 July 2017
Oliver was indicted last month on two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon by a public servant in an unrelated incident, where he is accused of displaying a gun during a traffic accident.

— claudia lauer, chicagotribune.com, "Ex-Texas officer indicted on murder charge in teen's death," 17 July 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of servant

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from present participle of servir

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

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servant Synonyms

Synonyms

daily [British], domestic, flunky (also flunkey or flunkie), lackey, menial, retainer, slavey, steward

Antonyms

master, mistress

Related Words

butler, footman, groom, houseboy, houseman, majordomo, man, manservant, servitor, valet; handmaiden (also handmaid), housekeeper, housemaid, lady-in-waiting, maid, maidservant, wench, woman; assistant, attendant, companion, factotum, follower; dogsbody [chiefly British], drudge, gofer (or gopher)

Near Antonyms

boss, captain, chief, foreman, head, headman, helmsman, kingpin, leader, taskmaster

SERVANT Defined for English Language Learners

servant

noun

Definition of servant for English Language Learners

: a person who is hired to do household or personal duties such as cleaning and cooking
: a person who is devoted to or guided by something

SERVANT Defined for Kids

servant

noun ser·vant \ ˈsər-vənt \

Definition of servant for Students

:a person hired to perform household or personal services

Law Dictionary

servant

noun ser·vant

legal Definition of servant

:a person who serves others: as

a :an individual who performs duties about the person or home of a master or personal employer

b :a person in the employ and subject to the direction or control of an individual or company — see also respondeat superior — compare agent, master

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See words that rhyme with servant Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for servant Spanish Central: Translation of servant Nglish: Translation of servant for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of servant for Arabic speakers

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Origin and Etymology of servant

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Synonyms

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SERVANT Defined for English Language Learners

servant

Definition of servant for English Language Learners

SERVANT Defined for Kids

servant

Definition of servant for Students

Law Dictionary

servant

legal Definition of servant

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