A butler is the most important male servant in a wealthy house.
butler in British English
(ˈbʌtlə)
noun
the male servant of a household in charge of the wines, table, etc: usually the head servant
Word origin
C13: from Old French bouteillier, from bouteillebottle1
Butler in British English
(ˈbʌtlə)
noun
1.
Joseph. 1692–1752, English bishop and theologian, author of Analogy of Religion (1736)
2.
Josephine (Elizabeth). 1828–1906, British social reformer, noted esp for her campaigns against state regulation of prostitution
3.
Reg, full name Reginald Cotterell Butler. 1913–81, British metal sculptor; his works include The Unknown Political Prisoner (1953)
4.
R(ichard) A(usten), Baron Butler of Saffron Walden, known as Rab Butler. 1902–82, British Conservative politician: Chancellor of the Exchequer (1951–55); Home Secretary (1957–62); Foreign Secretary (1963–64)
5.
Samuel. 1612–80, English poet and satirist; author of Hudibras (1663–78)
6.
Samuel. 1835–1902, British novelist, noted for his satirical work Erewhon (1872) and his autobiographical novel The Way of All Flesh (1903)
Butler in American English
(ˈbʌtlər)
1.
Benjamin Franklin1818-93; U.S. politician & Union general in the Civil War
2.
Joseph1692-1752; Eng. theologian & bishop
3.
Samuel1612-80; Eng. satirical poet
4.
Samuel1835-1902; Eng. novelist
butler in American English
(ˈbʌtlər)
noun
1.
the chief domestic servant of a household, usually in charge of serving food, the care of silverware, etc
2.
a servant having charge of wines and liquors
Derived forms
butlerlike
adjective
butlership
noun
Word origin
[1250–1300; ME buteler ‹ AF butuiller, OF bouteillier; see bottle1, -er2, -ier2]
Examples of 'butler' in a sentence
butler
A chef and butler service is also available at extra cost.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
The former butler made a right royal rock of himself in court.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Gourmet meals can be served on board by your personal butler.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Has playing the fastidious butler made him a stickler for service in restaurants?
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The other one is a butler's pantry.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
You get a personal butler, too.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Expect spacious suites, personal service and butlers for all.
The Sun (2016)
Most people in domestic service are there not because they wish to be career servants like butlers but because they have no choice.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
He spent the majority of the 1980s playing lords and butlers.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The royal butler came and spent two weeks teaching Colin how to make it one.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The former papal butler has, meanwhile, begun his new life after being pardoned.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Villas also come with personal butlers and access to golf carts to carry you around the resort, which is mostly too steep for casual strolls.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The service is undeniably world-class - not least because each guest has a personal butler.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
They enjoy the use of personal chefs, a butler service and many of them have live-in pets.
The Sun (2014)
It has a circular bathroom - tiled entirely in pure white gold - a croquet lawn and a personal butler on hand.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
And that's before you factor in your personal butler, on hand to nanny you as much or as little as you like.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The kitchen is one of the talking points of the house, with a listed former jury box which is used as a butler's pantry.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
If you have a large entourage - the butler and chef will have to stay somewhere - you can add six more bedrooms on the fifth floor.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
In other languages
butler
British English: butler NOUN
A butler is the most important male servant in a wealthy house.
I called for the butler to clear up the broken crockery.