English Reference
noun · adjective

attendant

n. · adj.
US /əˈtɛndənt/ UK /ɐtˈɛndənt/ at·ten·dant UK spelling attendant's, attendant's

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    n.a person whose job is to help customers or look after a place.

    n.an individual employed to provide service, assistance, or supervision in a public or commercial setting.

    Simple

    The flight attendant showed the passengers how to use the oxygen masks.

    In context

    The parking attendant directed the arriving guests to the overflow lot once the main garage had reached its maximum capacity.

  2. 02 C1 Advanced Formal

    n.someone who works for an important person, helping them with their daily needs.

    n.a subordinate or servant who accompanies and assists a person of high rank or status.

    Simple

    The queen was followed by a royal attendant carrying her heavy cloak.

    In context

    In the historical drama, the duke's personal attendant was responsible for managing his correspondence and maintaining his formal wardrobe.

  3. 03 C1 Advanced AcademicFormal

    adj.happening at the same time as something else, often as a result.

    adj.occurring as a natural consequence or accompanying a primary event or condition.

    Simple

    The new factory brought jobs, but also many attendant problems like traffic.

    In context

    The rapid expansion of the city led to a rise in property values and the attendant risk of displacing long-term residents from the downtown core.

    Usage

    Usually placed before the noun it describes.

The Boeing 737-800 plane had 149 passengers and four flight attendants on board.

The Guardian· 14 Aug 2026

It was here, in the ominously nicknamed House of Special Purpose , that the family and their last four loyal attendants met a bloody end exactly 108 years ago.

Smithsonian Magazine· 16 Jul 2026

From Middle English attendant, attendaunt, from Old French attendant. By surface analysis, attend + -ant.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Old French attendant
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated