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

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

The finding prompted him to suggest the then-heretical notion that Earth, like these four Galilean satellites, may be encircling some larger astronomical body instead of being surrounded by minions at the center of the universe. —Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 May 2024

There’s also a sense of cognitive dissonance as players are forced not to fight the big threats in lieu of a more sympathetic approach, while not extending the same mentality to the minions along the way. —Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 21 May 2024

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