serf
Serf (noun) means a peasant tied to a piece of land under a feudal lord, obliged to work it but with very limited personal freedoms. Example: “Serfs in medieval Europe could not leave the land they worked without their lord's permission.”
How to use serf
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA historical peasant class bound to farm a lord's land, with little personal freedom.
Don't confuse with "surf" (waves) — they sound the same but mean completely different things.
Word forms
serfs plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ in medieval Europe could not leave the land they worked without their lord's permission.
Etymology
From Old French serf, from Latin servus, "slave, servant."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for serf
See all rhymes for serf →Frequently asked questions
What does “serf” mean?
The word “serf” means a peasant tied to a piece of land under a feudal lord, obliged to work it but with very limited personal freedoms. In plain terms, a historical peasant class bound to farm a lord's land, with little personal freedom.
How do you pronounce “serf”?
“Serf” is pronounced surf (/sɝf/ in IPA).
How do you use “serf” in a sentence?
Here is “serf” used in a sentence: “Serfs in medieval Europe could not leave the land they worked without their lord's permission.”
What part of speech is “serf”?
“Serf” is a noun.
Where does the word “serf” come from?
The word “serf” comes from Latin. From Old French serf, from Latin servus, "slave, servant.".
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