Meaning & Definition of word "Mercenary"
Mercenary
/ˈmɜːrsəˌnɛri/
noun:
- 1. A professional soldier hired to serve in a foreign army.
- Example: The country employed mercenaries to bolster its defense forces.
- 2. A person primarily motivated by personal gain, especially in a context that is often considered morally questionable.
- Example: He was seen as a mercenary, willing to betray his own people for the right price.
adjective:
- 1. Working or acting merely for money or other reward; greedy.
- Example: The film depicted the mercenary nature of the corporate executives.
- 2. Relating to or characteristic of a mercenary soldier.
- Example: The mercenary troops were well-trained and equipped for their missions.
Etymology
●From Latin 'mercenarius', from 'merces' meaning 'wages, pay'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
soldier of fortune:
A person who earns money by fighting, often in foreign conflicts.
hired help:
Someone employed to do work for pay, often implying a lack of commitment.
money talks:
The idea that financial gain influences behavior and decisions.
Related Words
hireling:
A person who works purely for material reward; someone without loyalty.
vagabond:
A person who wanders without a home or job, often living solely on what they can earn.
contractor:
A person or company that undertakes a contract to provide materials or labor for construction.
Slang Meanings of mercenary
Meaning: Gunner
● Example Sentence: He's just a gunner, doing it for the money.
Meaning: Money merc
● Example Sentence: You can tell he's a money merc, always chasing the highest paycheck.