servant

servant — noun

1. someone paid to cook, clean, and do other chores inside another person's home —

1.nounB1
Definition

someone paid to cook, clean, and do other chores inside another person's home — a term more typical of historical or formal contexts than of everyday modern speech

Example

The old manor house employed over twenty servants to run the estate.

collocation: employ servants

In the 19th century, many young women worked as servants in wealthy homes.

Common collocations
  • household servant
  • domestic servant
  • faithful servant
  • trusted servant
  • keep servants
  • employ a servant
Synonyms
  • domestic worker

    more neutral and modern term for someone employed to do housework

  • maid

    specifically refers to a female servant, often used for cleaning staff in hotels

  • housekeeper

    focuses on managing household tasks rather than being subordinate to a master

Antonyms
  • master

    the person who employs and directs the servant

  • employer

    the person who pays the servant for their work

Grammar Patterns

servant + verb

work as a servant

keep a servant

Usage Note

In modern everyday English, 'domestic worker', 'housekeeper', or 'cleaner' is more common than 'servant' for paid household help. 'Servant' is still used in historical writing, formal contexts, and literary works.

Common Mistakes

I hired a servant to clean my apartment every week.
I hired a cleaner to clean my apartment every week.
'Servant' sounds old-fashioned for modern hired help; use 'cleaner' or 'domestic worker' instead.

2. anyone employed by a government or state institution to carry out administrative

2.nounB2
Definition

anyone employed by a government or state institution to carry out administrative or official duties that serve the public

Example

Rafael has worked as a civil servant in the education ministry for over eight years.

fixed phrase: civil servant

Public servants must follow strict rules about how they spend government money.

Common collocations
  • civil servant
  • public servant
  • government servant
  • career servant
  • senior civil servant
Synonyms
  • civil servant

    standard term for a government employee, especially in the UK

  • public servant

    broader term that can include elected officials and government workers

  • government employee

    neutral modern term without the formality of 'servant'

Grammar Patterns

civil servant

public servant

government servant

Usage Note

Almost always used with a modifier: 'civil servant' (most common in the UK and Commonwealth), 'public servant' (more common in the US and Australia), or 'government servant'. The word 'servant' alone is rarely used for this sense.

Common Mistakes

He is a servant in the post office.
He is a civil servant at the post office.
Use 'civil servant' or 'public servant' as the complete phrase, not 'servant' alone.

3. someone employed by a company, organization, or institution — typically in a low

3.nounB2
Definition

someone employed by a company, organization, or institution — typically in a lower or subordinate role within that body

Example

Christopher joined the hospital as a servant of the institution and reported directly to the chief administrator.

pattern: servant of [organization]

Dahlia was expected to follow her manager's instructions as a servant of the bank.

Common collocations
  • servant of the company
  • servant of the organization
  • servant of the firm
  • loyal servant
Synonyms
  • employee

    standard neutral term for a person who works for an organization

  • staff member

    emphasises being part of a team rather than a subordinate relationship

  • worker

    general term that focuses on labour rather than formal employment

Antonyms
  • employer

    the person or organization that employs the worker

Grammar Patterns

servant of [organization]

servant of [person]

Usage Note

This sense is legal or formal in tone. In everyday modern English, 'employee', 'staff member', or 'worker' is preferred. 'Servant' in this sense often appears in legal documents, formal policies, or older business writing.

Common Mistakes

She is a servant of Google.
She works for Google.
Using 'servant' for a modern company sounds very old-fashioned; use 'employee' or 'works for' instead.

4. someone or something under the control or influence of another — often used meta

4.nounC1
Definition

someone or something under the control or influence of another — often used metaphorically to describe a subordinate relationship between two things

Example

Defne saw her research data as a servant of her scientific questions, not the other way around.

metaphorical use: servant of [abstract noun]

Sivan refused to be a servant to fashion trends and wore whatever she liked.

Common collocations
  • servant to [something]
  • servant of [something]
  • useful servant
  • faithful servant
Synonyms
  • subordinate

    formal term for someone lower in rank or authority

  • underling

    informal and often贬义 term for a person in a lower position

  • tool

    metaphorical term for something used to achieve a purpose

Antonyms
  • master

    the one in control or with authority over the servant

  • controller

    the person or thing that directs the servant's actions

Grammar Patterns

servant to [something]

servant of [something]

Usage Note

Often appears in contrasts with 'master' — the two words together create a well-known pair that describes control and subordination. Common in philosophical, ethical, or reflective writing. The subject is often an abstract concept (money, science, technology).

Common Mistakes

My dog is my servant.
My dog follows my commands.
'Servant' is not used for pets; it implies a formal relationship of service, not simple obedience.
Idioms

your obedient servant

idiom

A polite phrase used to close a formal letter.

I remain, sir, your obedient servant, John Smith.

She signed the letter 'your obedient servant' before mailing it.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Servant,' 'domestic worker,' 'maid,' 'housekeeper,' and 'cleaner' all refer to people who do household tasks for others, but they differ in register and scope. 'Servant' is the most traditional term and often carries historical or formal overtones — it implies a master-servant relationship that sounds outdated in modern English. 'Domestic worker' is the neutral, respectful, modern term used in legal and social contexts. 'Maid' specifically refers to a female household worker and is still common in hotels, though some find it old-fashioned for private homes. 'Housekeeper' focuses on managing a home's cleanliness and order — it implies more responsibility than a general cleaner. 'Cleaner' is the most straightforward and common term for someone hired to clean. In everyday speech: 'We have a cleaner who comes twice a week' sounds natural, while 'We have a servant who comes twice a week' would sound odd and overly formal.

domestic workermaid ↗housekeeper ↗cleaner ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • master and servant
  • servant of the people
  • servant to none

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

The word 'servant' came into English from Old French 'servant', which was formed from the verb 'servir' meaning 'to serve'. The French verb came from Latin 'servire' ('to serve'), which itself was derived from Latin 'servus' meaning 'slave' or 'servant'. English has used 'servant' since around the 13th century, and it has kept a similar meaning across all those centuries — someone who serves another — even as the social institution of domestic service has changed dramatically.