valet
va-LAY
/ˈvæleɪ/
A hotel employee who performs personal services for guests, most commonly parking their cars.
A hotel employee who performs personal services for guests, most commonly parking their cars (valet parking) or pressing clothes.
The story behind the word. From Old French valet, a variant of varlet (young gentleman, squire, servant). It originally designated a young nobleman serving an apprenticeship before becoming a knight.
Word relationships
- attendant: An attendant is a general worker who helps customers, while a valet specifically performs personal services like parking cars or handling clothes.
Commonly confused with
- wallet: A wallet is a small pocket-sized case for holding money, whereas a valet is a person who services guests.
Word family
- valeting (noun): the action of cleaning or parking a car as a service
Collocations
- valet parking
- valet service
- leave keys with the valet
Example sentences
- "He left his keys with the valet and walked into the hotel lobby." Arriving at a luxury hotel.
Memory hook
A valet takes your car keys so you don't have to 'wait' in the parking lot. Valet parks your vehicle.
When not to use
Do not use to describe a general security guard or a mechanic, even if they handle cars.
Fun facts
- Historically, a valet was a personal male servant who took care of a nobleman's clothes, grooming, and personal needs. Today, the term is most famous for parking cars.
Related words
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