butler

noun

but·​ler ˈbət-lər 

1

: a manservant having charge of the wines and liquors

2

: the chief male servant of a household who has charge of other employees, receives guests, directs the serving of meals, and performs various personal services

Examples of butler in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Photo : Jo David for Sotheby’s International Realty The butler’s pantry. —Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 21 Mar. 2025

One last note: The show is all but stolen by Edwina Findley as White House butler Sheila Cannon, who doesn't mind helping herself to entire bottles of vodka. —Tom Gliatto, People.com, 20 Mar. 2025

Enameled and gilded and madly ornate, installed under ultra-bright lights in a nook-like space — a former butler’s pantry? —Holland Cotter, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2025

Walk-in pantries, wine refrigerators, and butler’s kitchens for catering services further enhance functionality. —Rowan Briggs, The Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English buteler, from Anglo-French butiller, from Old French botele bottle — more at bottle

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing butler

• butler's pantry
• silent butler

Rhymes for butler

• cutler
• sutler

Kids Definition

butler

noun

but·​ler ˈbət-lər 

: a chief male household servant

Etymology

Middle English buteler "household servant in charge of wines," from early French butiller (same meaning), from botele "bottle," derived from Latin buttis "cask"

Biographical Definition

Butler 1 of 5

biographical name (1)

But·​ler ˈbət-lər 

Benjamin Franklin 1818–1893 American general and politician

Butler

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biographical name (2)

Joseph 1692–1752 English theologian

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biographical name (3)

Nicholas Murray 1862–1947 American educator; president Columbia University (1901–45)

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biographical name (4)

Samuel 1612–1680 English satirical poet

Butler

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biographical name (5)

Samuel 1835–1902 English novelist and satirist