cupbearer: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2historical, literary, formal
Quick answer
What does “cupbearer” mean?
An official or servant, often in a royal or noble household, whose primary duty is to serve drinks, especially wine.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An official or servant, often in a royal or noble household, whose primary duty is to serve drinks, especially wine.
A trusted attendant in a position of ceremonial and sometimes political importance, historically responsible for tasting drinks for poison before serving them to a monarch or noble.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences; usage patterns are identical. The word is equally rare and specialized in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical connotations of antiquity, courtly service, and ceremonial duty.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both varieties, confined to historical texts, fantasy literature, and academic discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “cupbearer” in a Sentence
[Noun] served as cupbearer to [Person of Authority][Person of Authority]'s cupbearerVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cupbearer” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He was cupbearing for the duke at the medieval banquet.
American English
- In the reenactment, she cupbore for the visiting lord.
adjective
British English
- The cupbearer duties were outlined in the old manuscript.
American English
- He held a cupbearer position in the palace.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in historical, literary, or theological studies (e.g., discussing Nehemiah's role in the Bible).
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might be encountered in historical novels, films, or games.
Technical
Not used in technical fields.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cupbearer”
- Using it to refer to a modern bartender or waiter (register clash).
- Misspelling as 'cup bearer' (should be one word or hyphenated: 'cup-bearer').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. A cupbearer's role was specifically focused on serving drinks, often in a ceremonial or royal context, and included the duty of tasting for poison. A butler has broader household management responsibilities.
Almost exclusively in historical, literary, or religious contexts. You would not use it to refer to a server in a restaurant.
Nehemiah from the Hebrew Bible, who was the cupbearer to King Artaxerxes I of Persia. His story is told in the Book of Nehemiah.
Historically, the role was typically held by men, especially in formal court settings. However, in modern historical fiction or reenactments, the term might be applied regardless of gender.
An official or servant, often in a royal or noble household, whose primary duty is to serve drinks, especially wine.
Cupbearer is usually historical, literary, formal in register.
Cupbearer: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkʌpˌbeərə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkʌpˌbɛrər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specifically for 'cupbearer'.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a person who must BEAR a CUP to a king. Their job is to CUP-BEAR.
Conceptual Metaphor
A CUPBEARER IS A SHIELD (against poison). A CUPBEARER IS A CONDUIT (of trust and sustenance).
Practice
Quiz
In a modern metaphorical sense, calling someone a 'cupbearer' might imply they: