butler
n. countablen. the most important male servant in a large, wealthy house. This person is usually in charge of the other workers and manages the dining room and kitchen.
n. the chief male servant of a large household, typically responsible for the dining room, wine cellar, and supervision of other staff.
The butler served dinner to the guests in the formal dining room.
After twenty years of service, the butler knew exactly how the family preferred their tea and handled every guest with perfect politeness.
In historical estates, the butler occupied a unique social position, acting as a trusted confidant to the homeowners while maintaining strict authority over the domestic staff.
* (English surname): From Middle English Butler. * (Anglicized surname): From French Boutilier, Boutillier, Bouthillier. * (placename): From the surname
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Often used as a title followed by a surname in historical contexts, though modern usage is increasingly rare outside of luxury hospitality.
Last updated May 2, 2026