servant
- 01 B1 Intermediate
a person who is paid to work in someone else's house, doing tasks like cleaning or cooking.
a person employed by another to perform domestic duties within a household.
Simple“In the past, wealthy families often had several servants to help with the housework.”
In context“The historical drama depicts the complex social hierarchy between the wealthy landowners and the domestic servants who maintained the estate.”
UsageOften used in historical contexts; modern equivalents are usually 'housekeeper' or 'domestic worker'.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
someone who works for the government or the public.
an individual who performs duties for the benefit of the public or a government body.
Simple“He spent his entire career as a public servant, working to improve the city's schools.”
In context“The prime minister reminded the cabinet that they were, first and foremost, servants of the people.”
UsageCommonly found in the compound noun 'public servant'.
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
a person who serves or obeys God or a religion.
a person who expresses their devotion to a deity or religious cause through service and obedience.
Simple“The priest described himself as a humble servant of God.”
In context“The scripture encourages every servant of the faith to act with charity and humility toward others.”
From Middle English servaunt, from Old French servant, from the present participle of the verb servir. Doublet of sergeant and servient. Morphologically serve + -ant. Displaced native Old English þeġn.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.