valet

play

noun va·let \ ˈva-lət , ˈva-(ˌ)lā , va-ˈlā \

Definition of valet

1 a :an employee (as of a hotel or a public facility) who performs personal services for customers

b :a man's male servant who performs personal services (such as taking care of clothing)

2 :a device (such as a rack or tray) for holding clothing or personal effects

See valet defined for English-language learners

See valet defined for kids

Recent Examples of valet from the Web

Dranoff said the new condo project, which is being designed by the Philadelphia architect Cecil Baker & Partners, would feature ground-floor retail and underground valet parking.

— jacob adelman, Philly.com, "Market shift pitches Dranoff toward condos on South Broad corner," 24 Aug. 2017
There will also be a bicycle valet and bike corral on the Greenbelt side of the park.

— michelle jenkins, idahostatesman, "Music on the Water series wraps up this weekend," 14 Aug. 2017
About $1.22 million was collected from its lots and valet service, while $362,423 was generated from the parking structure.

— anthony clark carpio, Burbank Leader, "Passenger numbers continue to rise at Hollywood Burbank Airport," 8 Aug. 2017
The water park features accessible splash pads, a river ride built for wheelchairs, and a valet stand for the guests on wheels.

— omar villafranca, CBS News, "Father creates special water park named after his daughter," 6 July 2017
There will also be a single-level underground garage that uses a mechanized valet-only system capable of stacking vehicles.

— jennifer boehm, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Auberge Fort Lauderdale sells final penthouse for $9.5M," 5 July 2017
The opening shot of the movie sees Ryan O’Neal rise into focus, riding a one-man valet elevator in a parking garage, as the dirge-like score hums atonally.

— david sims, The Atlantic, "Baby Driver Is a Rare Heist Movie with a Heart," 4 July 2017
The ages and socioeconomic profiles of the eager buyers ran the gamut from millennial hipsters to seniors, and the line for valet parking stretched outside the parking lot and down the street.

— melinda sheckells, The Hollywood Reporter, "As Las Vegas Begins Selling Recreational Marijuana, Dispensary Owner Talks "Entertainment Community" Support," 1 July 2017
A valet was available to park the cars of customers.

— regina garcia cano, The Seattle Times, "Nevada launches sales of legal recreational marijuana," 1 July 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of valet

Middle English vadlet, valet, varlet "male servant, groom, knight's attendant," borrowed from Anglo-French, "young man of noble birth serving a lord, boy, servant," going back to Gallo-Romance *vassellittus, diminutive of *vassellus, diminutive of early Medieval Latin vassus "serf, servant, vassal" — more at vassal

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year