butler
/ˈbʌtlə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · [bˈʌtlɚ] /ˈbʌtlər/ (ame, ipa) · [bˈʌtlɚ] /ˈbət-lər/ (ame, mw)
butler — noun
- butlersingular
- butlersplural
1. the head manservant in a large household, managing the other domestic staff, rec
the head manservant in a large household, managing the other domestic staff, receiving visitors, and supervising meals and the wine cellar
Mr. Ashworth's butler, Christopher, announced each dinner guest at the door of the dining room.
possessive pattern: [person]'s butler
The butler showed Diya and her husband into the drawing room and offered them tea.
verb + object: showed [guest] into [room]
Before the party, the butler polished every wine glass until it sparkled.
Tunde trained for five years before becoming head butler at the Wellington estate.
Lady Harrington rang the bell and the butler came at once to take her order.
- steward
broader role; a steward may work on a ship, plane, or club rather than a private home
- manservant
dated generic term for any male servant; does not imply head-of-staff status