Slave: meaning, definitions and examples

Used to describe a person who is the legal property of another and is forced to obey them. Frequently used in historical contexts or when discussing issues of forced labor and human trafficking.

• In the 19th century, many slaves in the United States worked on cotton plantations.
• Human rights organizations work to free modern-day slaves who are trapped in forced labor conditions.

An archaic term, primarily found in historical or literary contexts, referring to a male slave or serf.

• The medieval lord had numerous bondmen working the fields.
• Shakespeare often wrote about bondmen in his plays.

Similar to 'bondman', but specifically refers to a female slave or serf in historical or literary contexts.

• The bondswoman toiled alongside the field hands from dawn till dusk.
• The novel's protagonist is a bondswoman seeking freedom.

A more poetic or literary term, meaning someone under the control of another. Can also imply being mentally or emotionally enslaved. Often used in older texts.

• He was in thrall to his deep and overpowering desires.

Refers to someone who has been captured and is being held against their will. It can be used in various situations, including war, kidnapping, or imprisonment. It usually does not imply being forced into labor like 'slave'.

• The soldier was held captive behind enemy lines for several weeks.
• Pirates took the crew members captive after boarding the ship.

Refers to a person who is legally owned by someone else and is forced to work for that person without rights or payment. Can also be used metaphorically to describe someone who is heavily controlled by another or by an addiction.

• Historical accounts of slaves highlight the brutal conditions they endured
• He is a slave to his work and never takes a break

Refers to a person employed to perform domestic duties. Though considered outdated in many modern cultures, it can still be used in historical or formal contexts.

• The wealthy family employed several servants in their large household
• In old movies, a butler is often depicted as a loyal servant

Describes someone who is used by others for their own purposes, often without their awareness. Typically used in contexts where manipulation or exploitation is involved.

• He was merely a pawn in their political game
• In chess, pawns are often sacrificed to achieve a greater strategy

Describes someone who has suffered harm, injury, or any other form of negative impact, often as a result of a crime, accident, or situation. It has a negative and sympathetic connotation.

• She was a victim of a terrible crime
• Flood victims received help from the community

Same as the first entry for 'slave', but can also refer to someone who is excessively dependent on or controlled by something or someone in a metaphorical sense.

• He is a slave to his smartphone, unable to put it down.
• They were treated like slaves in their harsh working environment.

This word indicates long, hard, and exhausting work. It emphasizes the effort and difficulty involved.

• Farmers toiled in the fields from dawn till dusk.
• He toiled through the night to finish the project.

This word is used to describe physical or mental work, especially of a hard or strenuous nature. It can be used in a neutral or positive manner depending on the context.

• The workers labored hard to complete the construction project.
• She went into labor and gave birth to a healthy baby.

This word describes a person who does tedious, menial, or unpleasant work, often over a long period of time. It conveys a sense of dullness and monotony.

• She drudged away in the office, handling paperwork and doing mundane tasks.
• After years of drudgery in dead-end jobs, he finally found a career he loved.