adj
menial
MEE-nee-uhl
adj
1
Describing unskilled, low-status work, especially the kind of routine tasks a servant would do.
"He took a menial job stacking shelves while he studied at night."
"She refused to do the menial chores nobody else wanted."
noun
1
A person in a servile, low-ranking role, especially a domestic servant.
"The lord treated the guests as royalty and the staff as menials."
How to Use Menial
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLow-skilled, unglamorous work, or (older use) a servant.
When to use it
Often used with a slightly dismissive or negative tone, implying the work is beneath someone.
Common pairings
menial job
menial task
menial labour
Word Forms
more menial comparative, menials plural, most menial superlative
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Etymology
From Anglo-Norman mesnal, from maisnee ("household"), ultimately from Latin mānsiō ("house") — the same root that gives us "mansion."