butler

noun

but·​ler ˈbət-lər How to pronounce butler (audio)
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 The kitchen has an island with a quartz countertop and seating, and there is a walk-in butler’s pantry with shelving. Hope Hodge Seck, Washington Post, 20 Mar. 2024 Spanning 500 acres on half a mile of beach, the resort will include dedicated butler service for every guest, four dining venues, two pools, a fitness center, and spa. Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 18 Mar. 2024 Each of these unique villas offers a private fireplace and hot tub or pool along with a dedicated butler. Natalia Senanayake, Peoplemag, 13 Mar. 2024 The home also has a butler’s kitchen, a great room, a theater, an office, a game room, a kids’ study, a pickleball court and an outside fireplace. The Arizona Republic, 29 Jan. 2024 And Greenberg sweetened the deal: workers at the cosmetic giant’s West Coast headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., would be welcomed back with a personal butler. Jane Thier, Fortune Europe, 5 Feb. 2024 Downstairs has a primary bedroom with a king size bed, bathroom, and a living room with a butler station. Devorah Lev-Tov, Travel + Leisure, 22 Jan. 2024 The home comes with an office, a large guest house, wood beam ceilings, a deluxe butler’s pantry, a large refrigerated wine wall and a primary suite with two toilets. Catherine Reagor, The Arizona Republic, 26 Feb. 2024 These plush accommodations also offer private in-cabin dining, 24-hour butler service, and free-flowing champagne. Shamilee Vellu, Travel + Leisure, 24 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'butler.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of butler was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near butler

Cite this Entry

“Butler.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/butler. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

butler

noun
but·​ler ˈbət-lər How to pronounce butler (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce Butler (audio)
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
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