footman
Americannoun
plural
footmen-
a liveried servant who attends the door or carriage, waits on table, etc.
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a metal stand before a fire, to keep something hot.
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Archaic. an infantryman.
noun
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a male servant, esp one in livery
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a low four-legged metal stand used in a fireplace for utensils, etc
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(formerly) a foot soldier
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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 Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of footman
First recorded in 1250–1300, footman is from the Middle English word fotman. See foot, man
Explanation
A footman is a servant who works in a large, wealthy home. There aren't many footmen left these days, although you can still find some working for the British royal family. It was once common for wealthy families to employ uniform-wearing male servants. These footmen, usually young men, served food at the dinner table, filled in for absent butlers, carried heavy things, and opened and closed doors. The word footman comes from the original job of a running footman — an agile servant would run beside his master's carriage making sure it didn't tip over. Earlier, a footman was a "soldier who travels on foot," rather than on horseback.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
For example, Freya's wedding planning is turned into a problematic and cringeworthy social media campaign by her agents, the Olivias, played by Emma Sidi and Hanako Footman.
From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026
“It’s a little different, but it’s a normal day. The only difference is I’m not clocking in,” says Rasheedah Footman.
From Fox News • Mar. 20, 2020
Footman played a blinder as me – albeit a more groomed version.
From The Guardian • Jul. 27, 2019
Footman gained valuable experience last season and there’s enough continuity in the coaching staff to make for a smooth transition.
From Washington Times • Aug. 12, 2016
Harry Hall, in livery as John the Footman, is reclining on a sofa, reading a magazine.
From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 98, January 18, 1890 by Burnand, F. C. (Francis Cowley), Sir
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
