footman

[ foot-muhn ]

noun

, plural foot·men.

1. a liveried servant who attends the door or carriage, waits on table, etc.
2. a metal stand before a fire, to keep something hot.
3. Archaic. an infantryman.

footman

/ ˈfʊtmən /

noun

1. a male servant, esp one in livery
2. a low four-legged metal stand used in a fireplace for utensils, etc
3. (formerly) a foot soldier
4. any of several arctiid moths related to the tiger moths, esp the common footman ( Eilema lurideola ), with yellowish hind wings and brown forewings with a yellow front stripe; they produce woolly bear larvae

Other Words From

• under·footman noun plural underfootmen

Word History and Origins

Origin of footman¹

First recorded in 1250–1300, footman is from the Middle English word fotman. See foot, man

Example Sentences

Guy Hunting, a published author and previously a footman at Buckingham Palace, has been a resident for 14 years.

From BBC

For BBC’s “Victoria,” Schiller starred as Cornelius Penge, a footman who served the royal family at both Kensington Palace and Buckingham Palace.

From Los Angeles Times

Dru Marshall, 26, of Romsey, Hampshire, claimed to be a senior footman at Windsor Castle when he listed an "antler walking stick" for auction.

From BBC

“The turnover of a footman is notoriously high!”

From Los Angeles Times

During an event at the Gibside estate, in Rowlands Gill, they learned about William Johnson, who was black and worked as a footman there in the late 1700s.

From BBC

Related Words

• server
• waitperson
• waitress