footman

/ˈfʊtmən/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈfʊtmən/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈfu̇t-mən/ (ame, mw)

footman — noun

  • footmansingular
  • footmenplural

1. A man who worked in a large house or mansion, carrying out tasks like welcoming

1.名詞B2
釋義

A man who worked in a large house or mansion, carrying out tasks like welcoming visitors, bringing food to the table, and helping with everyday needs of the household.

例句

Lord Ashcroft's footman announced the arrival of the evening guests before opening the dining-room doors.

role: announcing visitors and opening doors

The elderly footman at the manor had served the same family since his boyhood.

同義詞
  • manservant

    a more general term for any male servant, not specifically linked to a large household or livery

  • valet

    attends to one specific person (dressing, grooming, luggage), rather than serving the whole household

  • attendant

    a broader, less formal word for someone who helps or serves; can apply to modern contexts

反義詞
  • master

    the head of the household who employs servants

  • mistress

    the female head of the household who employs servants

用法筆記

Now considered old-fashioned; the role described by 'footman' largely disappeared from everyday life during the 20th century. Compare with 'butler' (senior male servant who manages a household's staff) and 'maid' (female servant who does cleaning or household work).

常見錯誤

❌The butler opened the car door for us at the hotel.
✅The footman opened the car door for us at the hotel.
💡A butler is the head of household staff who manages others; a footman is a lower-ranking servant who performs tasks like opening doors.
❌I hired a footman to clean my apartment.
✅I hired a cleaner to clean my apartment.
💡'Footman' is a historical term for a uniformed servant in a large estate, not a modern cleaning helper.