servant

noun

ser·​vant ˈsər-vənt 

: one that serves others

a public servant

especially : one that performs duties for another as a personal or domestic attendant

servanthood

ˈsər-vənt-ˌhu̇d 

noun

servantless adjective

Synonyms of servant

• steward
• maid
• housekeeper
• butler
• lackey

Examples of servant in a Sentence

the wealthy family had servants to clean and cook for them

Recent Examples on the Web

In the earlier installment, Scott played Jacques, a servant who helps summon a demon before meeting a violent end. —Kennedy French, Variety, 2 May 2026

In 2011, the teenage prince, Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, arrived at USC with a small army of servants for an undergrad filled with luxury Lakers suites, exotic cars and a full-time residence at the Beverly Wilshire hotel. —Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026

Meanwhile, Chunhyang and her servant decided to spend the afternoon on the hillside on a swing with other young people enjoying the weather. —Literary Hub, 1 May 2026

Frances is at home, self-medicating and snapping at the servants. —Alice Burton, Vulture, 27 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English servant, sarvaunt "person serving a master or lord, retainer, attendant," borrowed from Anglo-French, noun derivative from past participle of servir "to be in attendance on, serve entry 1"

Note: Compare sergeant.

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing servant

• bond servant
• civil servant
• fellow servant
• indentured servant
• public servant

Rhymes for servant

• fervent
• maidservant
• manservant
• observant

Kids Definition

servant

noun

ser·​vant ˈsər-vənt 

: one that serves others

especially : a person hired to perform household or personal services

Etymology

Middle English servant "servant," from early French servant (same meaning), from a form of servir "to serve," from Latin servire "to be a slave, serve," from servus "slave, servant" — related to serf

Legal Definition

servant

noun

ser·​vant

: 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