servant

noun

ser·​vant ˈsər-vənt 

: one that serves others

a public servant

especially : one that performs duties about the person or home of a master or personal employer

servanthood

ˈsər-vənt-ˌhu̇d 

noun

servantless adjective

Synonyms

• daily [British]
• domestic
• flunky
• flunkey
• flunkie
• lackey
• menial
• retainer
• steward

Examples of servant in a Sentence

the wealthy family had servants to clean and cook for them

Recent Examples on the Web

While public money was spent on converting former servants quarters into a family home, the interior decor was paid for privately. —Mark Davis, Newsweek, 16 Mar. 2025

There, a plaque remembers Anne Glover, an Irish servant who was falsely accused of witchcraft and executed. —Michele Herrmann, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025

Additionally, experts think servants flushed it by pouring water into the bowl after each use during the Warring States period (475 to 221 B.C.E.) and the Han dynasty (206 to 220 B.C.E.). —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Mar. 2025

In a small role as a servant, Briana Small adds a bit of levity and empathy to the emotional entanglements. —Matthew J. Palm, Orlando Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English servant, sarvaunt "person serving a master or lord, retainer, attendant," borrowed from Anglo-French, noun derivative from past participle of servir "to be in attendance on, serve entry 1"

Note: Compare sergeant.

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing servant

• bond servant
• civil servant
• fellow servant
• indentured servant
• public servant

Rhymes for servant

• fervent
• maidservant
• manservant
• observant

Kids Definition

servant

noun

ser·​vant ˈsər-vənt 

: one that serves others

especially : a person hired to perform household or personal services

Etymology

Middle English servant "servant," from early French servant (same meaning), from a form of servir "to serve," from Latin servire "to be a slave, serve," from servus "slave, servant" — related to serf

Legal Definition

servant

noun

ser·​vant

: a person who serves others: as

a

: an individual who performs duties about the person or home of a master or personal employer

b

: a person in the employ and subject to the direction or control of an individual or company see also respondeat superior compare agent, master