menial

[ˈmiːniəl]

menial Definition

• 1. not requiring much skill and lacking prestige, often relating to work that is boring or unpleasant
• 2. a person who does menial work is someone who does low-level, unskilled, and often boring work

Using menial: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "menial" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  She was stuck doing menial tasks like filing and photocopying.

• Example

  The new employee started with menial jobs like cleaning the office.

• Example

  He worked his way up from a menial laborer to a supervisor.

menial Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for menial

• unskilled
• lowly
• humble
• servile
• subservient

Antonyms for menial

• skilled
• prestigious
• important

Phrases with menial

• menial work

  work that is considered low-level, unskilled, and often boring

  Example

  She had to do a lot of menial work before she was given more important tasks.

• menial job

  a job that is considered low-level, unskilled, and often boring

  Example

  He started with a menial job cleaning the floors, but he worked his way up to a management position.

• menial labor

  physical work that is considered low-level, unskilled, and often boring

  Example

  He spent years doing menial labor in factories before he was able to get a better job.

Origins of menial

from Old French 'meinie', meaning 'household servants'

📌

Summary: menial in Brief

The term 'menial' [ˈmiːniəl] refers to work that is considered low-level, unskilled, and often boring. It can also describe a person who does this type of work. Examples include filing, photocopying, and cleaning. The phrase 'menial work' is commonly used to describe this type of labor. 'Menial' is often used in formal contexts to describe unskilled or lowly work.