1
: a manservant having charge of the wines and liquors
2
: the chief male servant of a household who has charge of other employees, receives guests, directs the serving of meals, and performs various personal services
Examples of butler in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The most luxurious is the Royal Suite, which has spectacular ocean views and is designed to provide a truly luxurious experience, with services that include a dedicated butler and free airport transfers.
—
José Cantillo Ferrer, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Feb. 2026
Even better, each cabin is assigned a butler who can do just about anything.
—Megan Dubois, USA Today, 14 Feb. 2026
Continue reading … ‘POMPOUS’ — Former butler details ex-Prince Andrew’s mistreatment of palace staff in new memoir.
—FOXNews.com, 13 Feb. 2026
His prolonged absence was due to his service as a loyal butler tending to the needs of the first family of the United States.
—John Wrory Ficklin, Time, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for butler
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José Cantillo Ferrer, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Feb. 2026
Even better, each cabin is assigned a butler who can do just about anything.
—Megan Dubois, USA Today, 14 Feb. 2026
Continue reading … ‘POMPOUS’ — Former butler details ex-Prince Andrew’s mistreatment of palace staff in new memoir.
—FOXNews.com, 13 Feb. 2026
His prolonged absence was due to his service as a loyal butler tending to the needs of the first family of the United States.
—John Wrory Ficklin, Time, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for butler
Cite this Entry
“Butler.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/butler. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
butler
noun
but·ler
ˈbət-lər 
: a chief male household servant
Etymology
Middle English buteler "household servant in charge of wines," from early French butiller (same meaning), from botele "bottle," derived from Latin buttis "cask"
Biographical Definition
Butler 1 of 5
biographical name (1)
But·ler
ˈbət-lər
Benjamin Franklin 1818–1893 American general and politician
Butler
2 of 5biographical name (2)
Joseph 1692–1752 English theologian
Butler
3 of 5biographical name (3)
Nicholas Murray 1862–1947 American educator; president Columbia University (1901–45)
Butler
4 of 5biographical name (4)
Samuel 1612–1680 English satirical poet
Butler
5 of 5biographical name (5)
Samuel 1835–1902 English novelist and satirist
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