Definition

A person who is bound to work on a lord's land and is not free to leave, often in exchange for protection and certain rights.

Example

In medieval times, a serf had to work the land for the lord and could not leave without permission.

Conversation

Have you ever read about the life of a serf in the past?

Yeah, it sounds really tough and unfair for them.

I can’t believe they were tied to the land like that.

Exactly, it must have been hard to break free from those conditions.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Serf originates from Old French 'serf' (meaning a servant or slave), which in turn comes from Latin 'servus' (meaning slave or servant). The word 'serf' refers to a person who is bound to work on a lord's estate and is not free to leave.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'servant' ('servus') who is bound to work for someone else — that's why a serf is someone who is not free.

Visually Confused Words