minion

/ˈmɪnjən/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmɪnjən/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈmin-yən/ (ame, mw)

minion — noun

  • minionsingular
  • minionsplural

1. a low-ranking helper who carries out whatever a more powerful person tells them

1.名詞C1
釋義

a low-ranking helper who carries out whatever a more powerful person tells them to do, often without questioning the orders

例句

Leo sent one of his minions across town to pick up the package.

pattern: one of [boss]'s minions

Élise refused to act as her boss's personal minion any longer.

collocation: act as someone's minion

同義詞
  • henchman

    stronger criminal or violent connotation; usually serves a villain

  • lackey

    stresses servile obedience; common in political criticism

  • underling

    neutral office-style term for someone of lower rank

反義詞
  • boss

    the person giving the orders rather than carrying them out

  • leader

    neutral term for the one in charge

文法句型

minion of [boss/leader]

the minions

用法筆記

Often used jokingly or with light contempt to describe assistants, junior staff, or henchmen. Subject is usually a powerful figure (boss, villain, ruler), and the minion has little choice in the tasks.

常見錯誤

❌My team has five hardworking minions.
✅My team has five hardworking assistants.
💡'minion' usually suggests a low-status, blindly obedient helper, so calling your own staff this in a formal setting sounds insulting.