minion
5 synonyms for minion, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A follower or underling who carries out orders, often unquestioningly, for someone more powerful.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use minion
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
loyal minions
send in the minions
Etymology
From Middle French mignon, "darling" or "favorite," originally describing a royal favorite before it took on its modern, often dismissive sense of a lowly follower.
Full origin of minion →Frequently asked questions
What does “minion” mean?
The word “minion” means a follower or underling who carries out orders, often unquestioningly, for someone more powerful. In plain terms, a loyal but low-ranking follower who does someone else's bidding.
How do you pronounce “minion”?
“Minion” is pronounced MIHN-yuhn (/ˈmɪnjən/ in IPA).
How do you use “minion” in a sentence?
Here is “minion” used in a sentence: “The villain sent his minions to retrieve the stolen jewel.”
What part of speech is “minion”?
“Minion” is a noun.
Where does the word “minion” come from?
The word “minion” comes from Middle French. From Middle French mignon, "darling" or "favorite," originally describing a royal favorite before it took on its modern, often dismissive sense of a lowly follower.
Is “minion” a common word?
“Minion” is an uncommon word in modern English.
