noun
cupbearer
CUP-bair-ur
Cupbearer (noun) means someone whose role, chiefly in historical households, was to fill and hand out the cups from which a drink was served. Example: “The king's cupbearer filled every goblet at the banquet.”
noun
1
Someone whose role, chiefly in historical households, was to fill and hand out the cups from which a drink was served.
"The king's cupbearer filled every goblet at the banquet."
"In the play, a young cupbearer attends the emperor at every feast."
"Historians describe the cupbearer as a trusted member of the royal household."
How to use cupbearer
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA historical servant whose job was to pour and serve drinks.
When to use it
It's a historical term, mostly found in writing about the past rather than modern speech.
Memory tip
It's a straightforward compound: someone who bears, meaning carries, the cup.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
royal cupbearer
the king's cupbearer
chief cupbearer
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Fill the gap
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The king's _____ filled every goblet at the banquet.
Etymology
The word is a compound of cup and bearer, and has been recorded in English since 1483.
Rhymes for cupbearer
See all rhymes for cupbearer →Frequently asked questions
What does cupbearer mean?
A cupbearer was a person, chiefly in historical households, whose job was to fill and serve cups of drink.
Is cupbearer still used today?
It's chiefly a historical term, used to describe a role in royal or noble households of the past rather than a modern job.
How old is the word cupbearer?
It has been recorded in English since 1483.
What is the meaning of cupbearer?
"cupbearer" (noun) means someone whose role, chiefly in historical households, was to fill and hand out the cups from which a drink was served.
