footman

noun

foot·​man ˈfu̇t-mən 

1

a

archaic : a traveler on foot : pedestrian

b

: infantryman

2

a

: a servant in livery formerly attending a rider or required to run in front of his master's carriage

b

: a servant who serves at table, tends the door, and runs errands

Examples of footman in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Downstairs, young footman and part-time inventor Jack is trying to sell a new style of alarm clock with Larry's help and leave the world of service and rigid class striations behind him. —Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 23 June 2025

The idea of a footman making an invention, becoming fabulously rich and turning up at some dinner in London society, that just wouldn’t happen. —Brent Lang, Variety, 23 June 2025

As for the downstairs crew, the Van Rhijn’s footman, Jack Trotter (Ben Ahlers), waits anxiously as Larry Russell begins seeking a buyer for his patented alarm clock design. —Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 12 June 2025

Instead of facing what Alondra is saying, Yasmin strides out of the room and instructs Henry Muck’s footman to fire the secretary. —Nina Li Coomes, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Rhymes for footman

• footmen

Kids Definition

footman

noun

foot·​man -mən 

1

: an infantry soldier

2

: a male servant who lets in visitors and waits on the table