Slave vs. Servant — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 13, 2024
A slave is owned and controlled without consent, while a servant is employed and works by choice.
Difference Between Slave and Servant
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A slave is an individual who is owned by another person and is forced to work without any personal freedom or choice in the matter. They are considered property under the law, and their status is typically inherited or imposed upon them without their consent. On the other hand, a servant is someone who is employed to perform domestic duties or personal attendances for their employer. Servants work by choice, are compensated for their services, and have the freedom to leave their employment.
Slavery involves coercion, severe restrictions on the individual’s autonomy, and often includes abuse and exploitation. It exists across various cultures and eras, historically legal and socially accepted in many societies. Whereas, servitude as a servant is a form of employment agreement, where the individual retains their rights and liberties, often protected by labor laws and contracts that specify working conditions and compensation.
While slaves are not paid for their labor, relying entirely on their owners for basic necessities under conditions that are often inhumane, servants receive wages, benefits, and have defined working hours. This economic distinction underscores the fundamental difference in the nature of their roles and the autonomy they possess or lack thereof.
The relationship between a slave and their owner is marked by power imbalance and lack of consent, with the slave’s life being controlled by the owner. In contrast, a servant's relationship with their employer is contractual and legal, based on mutual agreement and subject to change or termination by either party.
The social status and rights of slaves and servants also differ significantly. Historically, slaves had almost no rights, often subjected to harsh treatment and denied basic human dignities. Servants, while sometimes occupying lower social statuses, retained their legal rights and had access to legal recourse in cases of mistreatment or disputes with employers.
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Comparison Chart
Autonomy
None, owned by another
Employed, works by choice
Compensation
No wages, only basic necessities
Receives wages and benefits
Legal Status
Considered property
Considered employees
Working Conditions
Often inhumane, without consent
Defined by employment contract
Rights and Freedoms
Virtually none, severe restrictions
Protected by labor laws
Compare with Definitions
Slave
A person who is the legal property of another and is forced to obey them.
Slaves were brought to work on plantations without any personal freedom.
Servant
An individual employed to perform domestic duties or personal services for another.
The servant was responsible for cleaning, cooking, and running errands for the family.
Slave
Slaves lack freedom and personal autonomy, living under the control of their owners.
Slaves had to follow strict rules and had no personal choice in their daily lives.
Servant
Servants work by choice and have the freedom to leave their employment.
If dissatisfied, the servant could resign and seek employment elsewhere.
Slave
Slavery is characterized by ownership, lack of freedom, and forced labor.
Slaves were often branded or marked to indicate ownership.
Servant
Servants retain their legal rights and are protected by labor laws.
Servants can negotiate their salaries and working conditions.
Slave
Slaves do not receive payment for their labor, only basic necessities.
Slaves were provided minimal food and shelter as part of their living conditions.
Servant
Servitude is an employment situation with agreed terms and conditions.
Servants enter into contracts that define their duties and hours of work.
Slave
Slaves historically had no rights and were completely at the mercy of their owners.
Slaves could not own property or marry without their owner's permission.
Servant
Servants are paid for their work and may receive additional benefits.
The servant received a monthly wage, along with room and board.
Slave
One who is owned as the property of someone else, especially in involuntary servitude.
Servant
One who is privately employed to perform domestic services.
Slave
One who is subservient to or controlled by another
His boss's slave.
Servant
One who is publicly employed to perform services, as for a government.
Slave
One who is subject to or controlled by a specified influence
A slave to alcohol.
A slave to an irrational fear.
Servant
One who expresses submission, recognizance, or debt to another
Your obedient servant.
Slave
One who works extremely hard.
Servant
One who is hired to perform regular household or other duties, and receives compensation. As opposed to a slave.
There are three servants in the household, the butler and two maids.
Slave
One who acts out the role of the submissive partner in a sadomasochistic relationship.
Servant
One who serves another, providing help in some manner.
She is quite the humble servant, the poor in this city owe much to her but she expects nothing.
Slave
A slave ant.
Servant
(religion) A person who dedicates themselves to God.
Slave
A machine or component controlled by another machine or component.
Servant
(obsolete) A professed lover.
Slave
To work very hard or doggedly; toil.
Servant
A person of low condition or spirit.
Slave
To trade in or transport slaves.
Servant
To subject.
Slave
To cause a machine or component to be controlled by another machine or component.
Servant
One who serves, or does services, voluntarily or on compulsion; a person who is employed by another for menial offices, or for other labor, and is subject to his command; a person who labors or exerts himself for the benefit of another, his master or employer; a subordinate helper.
Men in office have begun to think themselves mere agents and servants of the appointing power, and not agents of the government or the country.
Slave
A person who is held in servitude as the property of another person, and whose labor (and often also whose body and life) is subject to the owner's volition and control.
Servant
One in a state of subjection or bondage.
Thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt.
Slave
(figuratively) A drudge; one who labors or is obliged (e.g. by prior contract) to labor like a slave with limited rights, e.g. an indentured servant.
Servant
A professed lover or suitor; a gallant.
In my time a servant was I one.
Our betters tell us they are our humble servants, but understand us to be their slaves.
Slave
(figuratively) An abject person.
Servant
To subject.
Slave
(figuratively) One who has no power of resistance (to something), one who surrenders to or is under the domination (of something).
A slave to passion, to strong drink, or to ambition
Servant
A person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
Slave
A device (such as a secondary flash or hard drive) that is subject to the control of another (a master).
Servant
In a subordinate position;
Theology should be the handmaiden of ethics
The state cannot be a servant of the church
Slave
To work as a slaver, to enslave people.
Slave
(intransitive) To work hard.
I was slaving all day over a hot stove.
Slave
(transitive) To place a device under the control of another.
To slave a hard disk
Slave
See Slav.
Slave
A person who is held in bondage to another; one who is wholly subject to the will of another; one who is held as a chattel; one who has no freedom of action, but whose person and services are wholly under the control of another.
Art thou our slave,Our captive, at the public mill our drudge?
Slave
One who has lost the power of resistance; one who surrenders himself to any power whatever; as, a slave to passion, to lust, to strong drink, to ambition.
Slave
A drudge; one who labors like a slave.
Slave
An abject person; a wretch.
Slave
To drudge; to toil; to labor as a slave.
Slave
To enslave.
Slave
A person who is owned by someone
Slave
Someone who works as hard as a slave
Slave
Someone entirely dominated by some influence or person;
A slave to fashion
A slave to cocaine
His mother was his abject slave
Slave
Work very hard, like a slave
Slave
Held in servitude;
He was born of slave parents
Common Curiosities
Can slaves leave their position?
No, slaves cannot leave their position as they are considered property and lack personal autonomy.
What is a servant?
A servant is an individual employed to perform services for another, with agreed-upon wages and conditions.
Were slaves ever paid for their labor?
Slaves were not paid for their labor; they were provided only with basic necessities.
Do servants receive compensation for their work?
Yes, servants receive wages and sometimes additional benefits for their work.
Can servants quit their job?
Yes, servants can quit their job if they choose to, as their relationship with their employer is contractual.
What is a slave?
A slave is a person who is the property of another and works without freedom or personal choice.
What rights did slaves have?
Historically, slaves had virtually no rights and were completely under the control of their owners.
Are servants protected by law?
Yes, servants are protected by labor laws that ensure fair treatment and specify working conditions.
How were slaves obtained historically?
Historically, slaves were obtained through capture in war, birth into slavery, or as part of a debt payment.
How do the working conditions of slaves and servants differ?
Slaves often worked in inhumane conditions without consent, while servants’ conditions are defined by employment contracts.
What differentiates a slave from a servant?
The key difference is autonomy and consent; slaves are owned and have no freedom, while servants work by choice and are compensated.
Did slaves ever become servants?
In some cases, former slaves became servants after gaining their freedom, working under conditions of their choice.
What legal status did slaves have?
Slaves were considered property, not individuals with legal rights or personhood.
Can a servant become a slave?
Legally, no. Servitude is based on employment, and slavery involves ownership without the individual’s consent.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
