menial

[ mee-nee-uhl, meen-yuhl ]

adjective

1. lowly and sometimes degrading:

   menial work.

   Antonyms: dignified

2. servile; submissive:

   menial attitudes.

   Synonyms: fawning

   Antonyms: proud

3. pertaining to or suitable for domestic servants; humble:

   menial furnishings.

noun

1. a domestic servant.

   Synonyms: lackey, hireling, underling, attendant

2. a servile person.

menial

/ ˈmiːnɪəl /

adjective

1. consisting of or occupied with work requiring little skill, esp domestic duties such as cleaning
2. of, involving, or befitting servants
3. servile

noun

1. a domestic servant
2. a servile person

Derived Forms

• ˈmenially, adverb

Other Words From

• meni·al·ly adverb
• non·meni·al adjective
• non·meni·al·ly adverb
• un·meni·al adjective
• un·meni·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of menial¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English meynyal, from Anglo-French me(i)nial; meiny, -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of menial¹

C14: from Anglo-Norman meignial, from Old French meinie household. See meiny

Synonym Study

See servile.

Example Sentences

My current favorite is “Star Trek: Lower Decks,” the animated and more irreverent of the “Star Trek” shows that follows the lower-ranking support crew that handle the menial jobs on a less prestigious Federation starship.

From Los Angeles Times

Klotz contends that she was ordered to perform menial tasks and forced to check in whenever she left the office, much like a high-schooler requesting a hall pass.

From Los Angeles Times

Throwing his hands up, Alvaro remarks, “very menial work,” and then with a smile continues, “but I wanted to go to college.”

From Salon

At the time — this is in the early 90s — cooking in a kitchen was still menial labor.

From Salon

She did menial tasks like washing and oiling their hair and kept them close to her, emotionally and physically.

From BBC