Word
retinue
Phoneticsret·inue
US/ˈɹɛtəˌnu/
UK/ɹˈɛtɪnjˌuː/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a group of people who travel with an important person to help and serve them, such as assistants, guards, or servants.
n. a group of attendants, assistants, or followers accompanying an important person on formal or official occasions. Implies hierarchy and service to a central figure.
Examples
“The singer arrives with a large retinue of helpers.”
“The minister enters the conference with her retinue of aides, security staff, and translators.”
“Surrounded by a silent retinue of advisers and guards, the ambassador crossed the courtyard, each step underscoring the weight of ceremony behind the negotiations.”
Examples
simple
“The singer arrives with a large retinue of helpers.”
contextual
“The minister enters the conference with her retinue of aides, security staff, and translators.”
complex
“Surrounded by a silent retinue of advisers and guards, the ambassador crossed the courtyard, each step underscoring the weight of ceremony behind the negotiations.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “retinue” in context.
Verb
01. assemble retinue
“It took weeks to assemble a suitable retinue for the state visit.”
verb + noun
02. bring retinue
“The sultan was expected to bring a retinue of over fifty attendants.”
verb + noun
03. dismiss retinue
“After the ceremony, the president dismissed his retinue for the evening.”
verb + noun
04. lead retinue
“The chamberlain will lead the retinue into the great hall.”
verb + noun
Adjective
05. armed retinue
“The medieval lord moved through the territory with an armed retinue.”
adj + noun
06. entire retinue
“The emperor and his entire retinue attended the coronation ceremony.”
adj + noun
07. large retinue
“The ambassador travelled with a large retinue of aides and guards.”
adj + noun
08. loyal retinue
“The exiled king was supported by a small, loyal retinue.”
adj + noun
Noun
09. member of retinue
“As a senior member of the retinue, she managed all travel arrangements.”
noun + prep + noun
10. accompanied by his retinue
“The emperor entered the hall, accompanied by his retinue.”
11. arrive with a large retinue
“The delegation arrived with a large retinue of advisers and guards.”
12. dismiss his entire retinue
“After abdicating, the monarch dismissed his entire retinue.”
Etymology
From Middle English retenue, from Old French retenue, past participle of retenir (“retain”). Doublet of ritenuto.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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