attendant
uh-TEN-dunt
/əˈtendənt/
A person employed to provide service, assistance, or supervision to customers in a public setting.
A gas station attendant pumps fuel, processes payments, or assists with car care, especially in full-service regions.
The story behind the word. From Old French 'atendant', present participle of 'atendre' (to wait upon or direct attention to). The word originally applied to personal servants or royal court guards before expanding to public service workers.
Word relationships
- assistant: Assistant is a general helper, whereas attendant implies standing by on duty at a dedicated station.
- clerk: A clerk typically handles indoor store counter sales, whereas a station attendant works directly around service bays or outdoor fuel islands.
Commonly confused with
- attendee: An attendee is a guest participating in an event, whereas an attendant is an employee providing service.
Word family
- attendance (noun): The act of being present at a place or event.
Collocations
- gas station attendant
- flight attendant
- parking attendant
- station attendant
Example sentences
- "In Oregon and New Jersey, a friendly station attendant traditionally pumps fuel for drivers." Full-service station
- "The station attendant walked out to help an elderly driver inflate her front tires." Customer service
Memory hook
An ATTENDANT ATTENDS to your driving needs at the fuel stop. ATTENDANT = Person attending to customer service.
When not to use
Do not confuse with 'attender' (someone who attends an event, like an attendee).
Fun facts
- In the 1950s, full-service station attendants often wore formal uniforms with cap visor badges and offered free glass cleaning and oil level checks with every fill-up.
Explore more words
valet, self-serve, concierge, bartender, entourage, attentiveness
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