servant

servant — noun

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

1.名詞B1
釋義

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

例句

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.

同義詞
  • 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

反義詞
  • master

    the person who employs and directs the servant

  • employer

    the person who pays the servant for their work

文法句型

servant + verb

work as a servant

keep a servant

用法筆記

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.

常見錯誤

❌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.名詞B2
釋義

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

例句

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.

同義詞
  • 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'

文法句型

civil servant

public servant

government servant

用法筆記

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.

常見錯誤

❌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.名詞B2
釋義

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

例句

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.

同義詞
  • 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

反義詞
  • employer

    the person or organization that employs the worker

文法句型

servant of [organization]

servant of [person]

用法筆記

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.

常見錯誤

❌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.名詞C1
釋義

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

例句

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.

同義詞
  • 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

反義詞
  • master

    the one in control or with authority over the servant

  • controller

    the person or thing that directs the servant's actions

文法句型

servant to [something]

servant of [something]

用法筆記

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).

常見錯誤

❌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.