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

menial work, menial job, menial labor

Formal and Informal Expressions of menial

In different contexts, you can replace 'menial' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'unskilled, lowly' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'grunt work, dirty work' is a commonplace synonym.

menial: Explore its Definition & Usage

menial Definition

1not requiring much skill and lacking prestige, often relating to work that is boring or unpleasant
2a 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

Antonyms for menial

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'

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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.