countable noun [usually plural, usually poss NOUN]
If you refer to someone's minions, you are referring to people who have to do what that person tells them to do, especially unimportant or boring tasks.
[literary, disapproval]
She delegated the job to one of her minions.
Synonyms: follower, or woman or person">henchman or woman or person, underling [derogatory], lackey More Synonyms of minion
minion in British English
(ˈmɪnjən)
noun
1.
a favourite or dependant, esp a servile or fawning one
2.
a servile agent
the minister's minions
3.
a size of printer's type, approximately equal to 7 point
adjective
4.
dainty, pretty, or elegant
Word origin
C16: from French mignon, from Old French mignot, of Gaulish origin
minion in American English1
(ˈmɪnjən)
noun
1.
a favorite, esp. one who is a fawning, servile follower: term of contempt
2.
a subordinate official, deputy, or the like
3. Obsolete
a mistress or paramour
adjective
4. Rare
delicate, dainty, etc.
Word origin
Fr mignon, favorite, darling: see mignon
minion in American English2
(ˈmɪnjən)
noun
minyan
Examples of 'minion' in a sentence
minion
After the success of the first film we can all agree, we need more minions!
The Sun (2014)
After the first film we can all agree, we need more minions!
The Sun (2014)
(noun)
Definition
a servile assistant
She delegated the job to one of her minions.
Synonyms
follower
the ringleader and his two thuggish followers
or woman or person">henchman or woman or person
the Sheriff's henchman, Sir Guy of Gisborne
underling (derogatory)
underlings who do the dirty work
lackey
I'm not staying as a paid lackey to act as your yes-man.
favourite
pet
creature
We are not merely creatures of our employers.
darling
parasite
cohort mainly US)
Drake and his cohorts were not pleased at my promotion.
dependant
They raise funds to help ex-service personnel and their dependants.
hanger-on
five thousand delegates, with 30,000 assorted hangers-on
sycophant
a dictator surrounded by sycophants
yes man
toady
Life was too short to become a toady to a megalomaniac.
hireling
flunky
flatterer
lickspittle
bootlicker (informal)
myrmidon
Additional synonyms
in the sense of bootlicker
Definition
one who seeks favour by grovelling to someone in authority
Synonyms
crawler,
fawner,
spaniel,
lackey,
sycophant,
yes man,
toady,
flunky,
brown-noser (taboo, slang),
flatterer,
ass-kisser (US, Canadian, taboo, slang)
in the sense of cohort
Drake and his cohorts were not pleased at my promotion.
Synonyms
supporter,
partner,
associate,
mate,
assistant,
follower,
comrade,
protagonist,
accomplice,
sidekick (slang),
or woman or person">henchman or woman or person,
myrmidon
in the sense of creature
Definition
a person or thing controlled by another
We are not merely creatures of our employers.
Synonyms
minion,
tool,
instrument (informal),
puppet,
cohort (US),
dependant,
retainer,
hanger-on,
lackey,
hireling
Nearby words of
minion
minimalist
minimize
minimum
minion
minister
minister to
ministrations
Synonyms of 'minion'
minion
Explore 'minion' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of dependant
Definition
a person who depends on another for financial support
They raise funds to help ex-service personnel and their dependants.
Synonyms
relative,
rellie (Australian, slang),
child,
minor,
subordinate,
cohort (US),
protégé,
or woman or person">henchman or woman or person,
retainer,
hanger-on,
minion,
vassal
in the sense of hanger-on
Definition
an unwanted follower, esp. of a rich or famous person
five thousand delegates, with 30,000 assorted hangers-on
Synonyms
parasite,
follower,
cohort (US),
leech,
dependant,
minion,
lackey,
sycophant,
freeloader (slang),
sponger (informal),
ligger (slang),
quandong (Australian, slang)
in the sense of henchman
Definition
a person employed by someone powerful to carry out orders
the Sheriff's henchman, Sir Guy of Gisborne
Synonyms
attendant,
supporter,
heavy (slang),
associate,
aide,
follower,
subordinate,
bodyguard,
minder (slang),
crony,
sidekick (slang),
cohort (US),
right-hand man or woman or person,
minion,
satellite,
myrmidon
in the sense of lackey
Definition
a servile follower
I'm not staying as a paid lackey to act as your yes-man.
Synonyms
hanger-on,
fawner,
pawn,
attendant,
tool,
instrument,
parasite,
cohort (US),
valet,
menial,
minion,
footman,
sycophant,
yes-man,
manservant,
toady,
flunky,
brown-noser (taboo, slang),
flatterer,
ass-kisser (US, Canadian, taboo, slang),
varlet (archaic)
in the sense of sycophant
Definition
a person who uses flattery to win favour from people with power or influence
a dictator surrounded by sycophants
Synonyms
crawler,
yes man,
toady,
slave,
parasite,
cringer,
fawner,
hanger-on,
sponger (informal),
brown-noser (taboo, slang),
flatterer,
truckler,
lickspittle (old-fashioned),
ass-kisser (US, Canadian, taboo, slang),
apple polisher (US, slang),
bootlicker (informal),
toadeater (rare),
suckhole (Australian, slang)
in the sense of toady
Definition
a person who flatters and ingratiates himself or herself in a fawning way
Life was too short to become a toady to a megalomaniac.