Peon — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈpē-ˌän/ pe·on

Meaning & Definition of Peon

Peon (noun)

  1. any of various workers in India, Sri Lanka, or Malaysia
  2. infantryman
  3. orderly

Peon (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a person who does very hard or dull work

    "the company had plenty of low-paying positions for people who were content to be peons all their lives"

    similar: dogsbody (chiefly British), drone, drudge, drudger, foot soldier, grub, grubber, grunt, laborer, plugger, slave, slogger, toiler, worker
    related: workhorse, serf
    near: goldbrick, shirker, idler, lazybones, loafer, slouch, slug, sluggard

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Peon

The most common words with a similar meaning to Peon:

Chiefly British: dogsbody
drone, drudge, drudger, foot soldier, grub, grubber, grunt, laborer, plugger, slave, slogger, toiler, worker

Related Words for Peon

workhorse, serf

Near Antonyms of Peon

goldbrick, shirker, idler, lazybones, loafer, slouch, slug, sluggard

Word Forms of Peon

Inflections: peons, peones

Origin & Etymology of Peon

(sense 1) borrowed from French pion "(in 17th & 18th-century French India) infantry soldier, domestic servant," going back to Old French peon, pion "foot soldier"; (senses 2-3) borrowed from American Spanish peón "laborer, infantry soldier," going back to Late Latin pedōn-, pedō "person with flat feet, person going on foot" (Medieval Latin, "foot soldier") pawn:1

First known use: 1609

Frequently Asked Questions about Peon

What does "Peon" mean?

"Peon" means any of various workers in India, Sri Lanka, or Malaysia. As a noun, it is defined as: any of various workers in India, Sri Lanka, or Malaysia.

What is another word for "Peon"?

Other words for "Peon" include dogsbody, drone, drudge, drudger, foot soldier, grub, grubber and grunt. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Peon" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Peon"?

There are 16 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Peon". Common alternatives include dogsbody, drone, drudge, drudger, foot soldier, grub, grubber, grunt, laborer and plugger.

How do you use "Peon" in a sentence?

Examples of "Peon" in a sentence: "the company had plenty of low-paying positions for people who were content to be peons all their lives".

Is "Peon" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Peon" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Peon"?

"Peon" is pronounced /ˈpē-ˌän/ and divided into syllables as pe·on.

What is the origin of the word "Peon"?

"Peon" comes from (sense 1) borrowed from French pion "(in 17th & 18th-century French India) infantry soldier, domestic servant," going back to Old French peon, pion "foot soldier"; (senses 2-3) borrowed from American Spanish peón "laborer, infantry soldier," going back to Late Latin pedōn-, pedō "person with flat feet, person going on foot" (Medieval Latin, "foot soldier") pawn:1. First known use: 1609.

What is another word for "Peon" meaning "a person who does very hard or dull work"?

When "Peon" (noun) means a person who does very hard or dull work, synonyms include dogsbody, drone, drudge, drudger, foot soldier and grub.