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

Female physicians are often overburdened with menial, uncompensated assignments, secretarial tasks and committee service that does not necessarily lead to promotions, taking precious time away from activities that would be more likely to advance their careers.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Salon