Underling

/ˈʌndərlɪŋ/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A person who is lower in status or rank than another.

The manager often dismissed his underlings without hearing their ideas.

A subordinate or someone who works under a more senior or higher-ranking person.

He was recognized as a diligent underling who always followed orders.

A person who is subservient to someone in authority.

The king surrounded himself with loyal underlings who would never betray him.

Middle English 'undirling', from 'under' + '-ling' (suffix indicating a lesser or diminutive form).

reign over your underlings

To have authority or control over those of lower rank.

a world of underlings

A situation where many people are in subordinate positions.

subordinate

A person who is lower in rank or position.

serf

A laborer who is bound under the feudal system to work on his lord's estate.

Lackey

Stop acting like a lackey and think for yourself.

Gopher

I don't want to be your gopher running errands all day.