serf

noun
UK: /sɜːf/
US: /sɝːf/

  1. In the past, a serf was someone who lived and worked on land owned by another person, and who could not leave that land.

    1. The serf worked hard for the lord of the manor every day.
    2. The serf's life was difficult, with little freedom and heavy responsibilities to his lord.

Synonyms

slave peasant vassal
serf verb

  1. To treat someone as a serf; to subjugate or control someone completely.

    1. The company serfed their workers, demanding long hours.
    2. Critics claimed the new laws serfed the poor, limiting their rights drastically.

Frequently Asked Questions

The phonetic transcription of "serf" is /sɜːf/ in British English and /sɝːf/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "serf": slave, peasant, vassal.

Example usage of "serf": "The serf worked hard for the lord of the manor every day.". More examples on the page.