menial
gb/mˈiniəl/ us/mˈiniəl/
C1
English
alacsony presztízsű, alantas, szolga, csicska
C1
FORMAL
1
alantas
C1
Usage pattern:
[menial] [work/task/job/duty]
He started his career doing menial tasks like filing and making copies.
Pályáját olyan egyszerű, alacsony presztízsű feladatokkal kezdte, mint az iratok rendezése és a másolatok készítése.
After the injury, she was stuck in a menial job that left her exhausted.
A sérülése után egy alacsony presztízsű munkában ragadt, amely teljesen kimerítette.
The interns complained about being given menial work instead of real projects.
Learner examples
I had to do menial work all afternoon.
Egész délután alantas munkát kellett végeznem.
This job is menial and repetitive.
Ez a munka alacsony presztízsű és ismétlődő.
Common mistake:
Menial does not mean "small" or "minor"; it means low-status and routine.
Meaning
low-status, routine work
Collocations
menial tasks
|menial work
|menial job
|menial duties
|menial labor
|menial chores
|menial role
|menial position
|menial staff
|menial employment
Synonyms
unskilled (Focuses on needing little training or skill.)
|
lowly (Emphasizes low social status or importance.)
|
routine (Emphasizes repetition more than low status.)
|
humble (Often less negative; can sound respectful.)
Antonyms
skilled (Requires training or expertise.)
|
professional (Associated with specialized knowledge and higher status.)
|
prestigious (Seen as high-status and admired.)
Themes
work
|social_class
|daily_life
Definition
Menial work is simple, boring work that people do at the lowest level.
(Of work or duties) involving simple, routine tasks that require little skill and are considered low in status, often boring or unpleasant.
NOUN
C2
FORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
a [menial]
He spoke to the staff as if they were menials.
Úgy beszélt a személyzettel, mintha szolgák lennének.
In the novel, the wealthy family treated their menials harshly.
A regényben a gazdag család kegyetlenül bánt a szolgáival.
She refused to be a menial in someone else’s household.
Learner examples
He treated me like a menial.
Úgy bánt velem, mintha a csicskája lennék.
Common mistake:
Because this noun is insulting, learners may prefer neutral words like worker, assistant, or staff member.
Meaning
person doing low-status work
Collocations
a menial
|hired menials
|treat someone like a menial
|household menial
|office menial
Synonyms
drudge (Highlights exhausting, thankless work.)
|
servant (Neutral in some contexts, but can overlap historically.)
|
underling (Emphasizes low rank in an organization more than the type of work.)
Antonyms
professional (Has specialized training and higher status.)
|
manager (Supervises others rather than doing routine tasks.)
Themes
work
|people
|social_class
Definition
A menial is a person who does very low-status work (often an insulting word).
A person employed to do simple, routine, low-status work, often physical or service work; usually a disparaging term.
Grammar
Dictionary form
menial
IPA
GB/mˈiniəl/
US/mˈiniəl/
Syllables & stress
meni - al (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (meni)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: menial
Expressions
menial duties
1/mˈiniəl dˈutiz/
fixed phrase
formal
routine low-level responsibilities
Menial duties are simple responsibilities that people think are low-level.
Examples
- The assistant handled menial duties like scheduling and photocopying.
- He resented being left with menial duties while others got credit.
Learner examples
- She performs menial duties at the office.
menial job
1/mˈiniəl d͡ʒˈɑb/
fixed phrase
formal
low-status routine job
A menial job is a low-level job with simple tasks.
Examples
- He took a menial job to cover his bills while he studied.
- They promised training but assigned her a menial job instead.
Learner examples
- He has a menial job.
menial tasks
1/mˈiniəl tˈæsks/
fixed phrase
formal
boring low-status chores
Menial tasks are boring, simple jobs.
Examples
- The new hire spent the first week doing menial tasks.
- I delegated the menial tasks so I could focus on the deadline.
Learner examples
- I did menial tasks today.
menial work
1/mˈiniəl wˈɚk/
fixed phrase
formal
low-skill routine work
Menial work is simple work that people think is low-level.
Examples
- He was hired for data entry and other menial work.
- She didn’t mind menial work as long as the pay was fair.
Learner examples
- This is menial work.