menial
/ˈmiːniəl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmiːniəl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈmē-nē-əl -nyəl/ (ame, mw)
menial — adjective
- menialpositive
- more menialcomparative
- most menialsuperlative
1. describing work that needs little training and is treated as low in status or re
describing work that needs little training and is treated as low in status or respect
Lea spent her first week on menial office tasks like filing forms.
menial + office tasks
After college, Ilan refused to stay in a menial hotel job.
The film shows how menial farm work can leave workers exhausted.
Gita found the filing work menial and asked for bigger tasks.
- skilled
describes work that needs training or expertise
- senior
focuses on high rank or responsibility rather than task type
- prestigious
adds the idea of public respect or admiration
文法句型
menial job
menial task
find the work menial
用法筆記
Usually describes jobs, tasks, or chores rather than people. Compared with routine, it adds the idea that the work has little status and is often looked down on.
menial — noun
1. someone who is given simple, low-status jobs for other people
someone who is given simple, low-status jobs for other people
The duke treated every kitchen menial as if they were invisible.
menial = low-ranking worker
In the novel, a menial carries coal to the cold upstairs rooms.
Jabari began as a menial in the workshop before learning the trade.
The officer barked at the menials who were sweeping the yard.
- supervisor
someone who directs other workers rather than doing the lowest tasks
- professional
someone with trained skills and recognized standing
文法句型
a menial in the kitchen
begin as a menial
treat someone like a menial
用法筆記
This noun often sounds old-fashioned or dismissive. In present-day everyday English, people usually name the specific job instead of calling someone a menial.