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

Their luxury ships were formerly owned by Crystal Cruises, and their Danube cruise ship, Riverside Mozart, features all-suite staterooms, marble baths, a gym, an indoor pool, and butler service. —Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 6 Feb. 2025

This year, Roborock won the race to launch a commercial robot vacuum that has an extendable arm that can pick up small bits of clutter in its way, thus becoming the robot butler of your dreams. —Adrienne So, WIRED, 6 Jan. 2025

Guests can continue this ritual with a private afternoon tea for two served by the hotel’s butler service, including bites like lobster salad sandwiches, freshly baked scones, and sweets such as lemon tartelettes and assorted French macarons. —Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 9 Feb. 2025

The undisputed heart of the home, the kitchen includes a lounge with comfortable seating, both an eat-in island and a breakfast nook, and a butler’s pantry with a wine fridge, coffee station, and gleaming verre églomisé detailing. —Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 31 Jan. 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

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

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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

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biographical name (5)

Samuel 1835–1902 English novelist and satirist