Butler

UK: 'butler', 'Butler': /ˈbʌtlə/ US: /ˈbʌtlɚ/ ,(but′lər)

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

Butler / 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)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

but•ler /ˈbʌtlɚ/   n. [countable]

1. the chief male servant of a household:
   The butler met us at the door.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

but•ler  (but′lər), n. 

1. the chief male servant of a household, usually in charge of serving food, the care of silverware, etc.
2. a male servant having charge of the wines and liquors.

• Anglo-French butuiller, Old French bouteillier; see bottle¹, -er², -ier²
• Middle English buteler 1250–1300

but′ler•like′, adj. 
but′ler•ship′, n. 

But•ler  (but′lər), n. 

1. Biographical Benjamin Franklin, 1818–93, U.S. politician and a Union general in the Civil War.
2. Biographical Joseph, 1692–1752, English bishop, theologian, and author.
3. Biographical Nicholas Murray, 1862–1947, U.S. educator: president of Columbia University 1902–45; Nobel peace prize 1931.
4. Biographical Pierce, 1866–1939, U.S. jurist: associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court 1923–39.
5. Biographical Samuel, 1612–80, English poet.
6. Biographical Samuel, 1835–1902, English novelist, essayist, and satirist.
Smedley Dar•ling•ton  (smed′lē där′ling tən), 1881–1940, U.S. Marine Corps general.
7. Place Names a city in W Pennsylvania. 17,026.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

butler / ˈbʌtlə/ noun

1. the male servant of a household in charge of the wines, table, etc: usually the head servant

Etymology: 13th Century: from Old French bouteillier, from bouteille bottle¹