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noun Common

butler

BUHT-luh

Butler (noun) means the chief male servant in a household, responsible for managing other staff, serving meals, and receiving guests. Example: “The butler answered the door and announced the guests.”

noun
1
The chief male servant in a household, responsible for managing other staff, serving meals, and receiving guests.
"The butler answered the door and announced the guests."

How to Use Butler

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe senior male servant who runs the household staff, particularly in a large or wealthy house.

Common pairings
the family butler hire a butler

Word Forms

butlered past tense, butlers plural, butlers singular

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ answered the door and announced the guests.

Etymology

From Old French boteillier, "officer in charge of wine," ultimately from the same Latin root as "bottle."

Origin: Latin

Related Words

Rhymes for butler

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “butler” mean?

The word “butler” means the chief male servant in a household, responsible for managing other staff, serving meals, and receiving guests. In plain terms, the senior male servant who runs the household staff, particularly in a large or wealthy house.

How do you pronounce “butler”?

“Butler” is pronounced BUHT-luh (/ˈbʌt.lɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “butler” in a sentence?

Here is “butler” used in a sentence: “The butler answered the door and announced the guests.”

What is another word for “butler”?

Words with a similar meaning to “butler” include footman.

What part of speech is “butler”?

“Butler” is a noun.

Where does the word “butler” come from?

The word “butler” comes from Latin. From Old French boteillier, "officer in charge of wine," ultimately from the same Latin root as "bottle.".

Is “butler” a common word?

“Butler” is a fairly common word in modern English.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial