minion
noun
min·ion ˈmin-yən 
1
: a servile dependent, follower, or underling
He's one of the boss's minions.
2
: one highly favored : idol
his great charity to the poor renders him the minion of the people
Jonas Hanway
Jonas Hanway3
: a subordinate (see subordinate entry 1 sense 1) or petty official
government minions
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The Origins of Minion
Minion comes from Middle French and is related to filet mignon. The two terms are connected by mignon, meaning "darling." The earliest uses of minion refer to someone who is a particular favorite of a sovereign or other important personage. Over time, however, the word developed a more derogatory sense referring to a person who is servile and unimportant.
Synonyms
- darling
- fave
- favorite
- pet
- preference
- speed
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
one of the boss's minions most of the top appointments went to the new governor's personal minions and political cronies
Recent Examples on the Web The laugh line was delivered by Steve Carell’s character to a misbehaving minion, and seemed like a fitting place to find his new dog’s name. Cathy Free, Washington Post, 13 Sep. 2022 Some gave high signs to the camera, clutched minion paraphernalia and lugged yellow buckets of popcorn. Diane Bellcolumnist, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 2022 That only one visionary can bring a game into this world and everyone else that works on it is some kind of minion. Ollie Barder, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2021 These women often work with the movie's villain as their primary minion. Lauren Huff, EW.com, 9 Oct. 2021 Justified fans will certainly recall his season-six arc as Choo-Choo, the war vet and minion of one of that season’s heels (of the non-wrestling variety). Kimberly Potts, Vulture, 15 Aug. 2021 True fans of the original show will remember Nelly as Blair's academic rival turned minion. Carolyn Twersky, Seventeen, 5 Aug. 2021 In one spot, gymnast Simone Biles - who just won her seventh national women's all-around title at the U.S. Gymnastics Championships, the most wins by any American woman ever - instantly makes a fan out of one minion. Jethro Nededog, EW.com, 10 June 2021 In the spot, Dressel gets the last laugh on a pesky minion. Jethro Nededog, EW.com, 10 June 2021 See More
Cathy Free, Washington Post, 13 Sep. 2022 Some gave high signs to the camera, clutched minion paraphernalia and lugged yellow buckets of popcorn. Diane Bellcolumnist, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 2022 That only one visionary can bring a game into this world and everyone else that works on it is some kind of minion. Ollie Barder, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2021 These women often work with the movie's villain as their primary minion. Lauren Huff, EW.com, 9 Oct. 2021 Justified fans will certainly recall his season-six arc as Choo-Choo, the war vet and minion of one of that season’s heels (of the non-wrestling variety). Kimberly Potts, Vulture, 15 Aug. 2021 True fans of the original show will remember Nelly as Blair's academic rival turned minion. Carolyn Twersky, Seventeen, 5 Aug. 2021 In one spot, gymnast Simone Biles - who just won her seventh national women's all-around title at the U.S. Gymnastics Championships, the most wins by any American woman ever - instantly makes a fan out of one minion. Jethro Nededog, EW.com, 10 June 2021 In the spot, Dressel gets the last laugh on a pesky minion. Jethro Nededog, EW.com, 10 June 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle French mignon darling
First Known Use
circa 1500, in the meaning defined at sense 1
minion
noun
as in favorite
a person or thing that is preferred over others most of the top appointments went to the new governor's personal minions and political cronies Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- favorite
- pet
- darling
- speed
- fave
- preference
- cup of tea
- beloved
- dear
- treasure
- sweetheart
- jewel
- prize
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- abomination
- bugbear
- anathema
- bête noire