livery

1 of 2

noun

liv·​ery ˈli-və-rē How to pronounce livery (audio)
ˈliv-rē
plural liveries
Synonyms of livery
1
a
: a concern offering vehicles (such as boats) for rent
a canoe livery
an automobile livery
b
: the feeding, stabling, and care of horses for pay
c
: livery stable
2
a
chiefly British : an identifying design (as on a vehicle) that designates ownership
b
: a servant's uniform
c
: the distinctive clothing or badge formerly worn by the retainers (see retainer entry 1 sense 1) of a person of rank
d
: distinctive dress : garb
a nun's traditional livery
3
: the act of delivering legal possession of property
4
archaic : the apportioning of provisions especially to servants : allowance
5
archaic
a
: one's retainers or retinue
b
: the members of a British livery company

livery

2 of 2

adjective

1
: resembling liver
2
: suggesting liver disorder

Synonyms of livery

Relevance

Noun

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of livery in a Sentence

Noun the limousine chauffeur was easily distinguished from the cab drivers by his livery
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
All but one is adorned with the classic blue stripe livery that has been associated with most of NASA’s aircraft over the past five decades. — Robert Pearlman, ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2026 The company unveiled a Team USA livery during the public display. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Aug. 2026
Adjective
An intoxicating spice rub — salt, pepper, cumin, garlic and herbs — permeates everything, from the bronze skin shielding succulent white meat to the livery underside. — Warren Rojas, Washington Post, 19 Aug. 2026 There are also various livery options, plus a vivid new Tangelo Orange color scheme reserved solely for the 420 Sport. — Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for livery

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English livere, liverie, liverey "delivery, handing over, bestowing of clothes, food, insignia, etc., on retainers and servants, allowance of food and drink, official garb of guild members," borrowed from Anglo-French liveré, liveree "delivery, disbursement, allowance, sanction, livery garment, guild," noun derivative from feminine of liverer, livrer (continental Old French livrer) "to deliver, set free, hand over, convey, supply with provisions," going back to Latin līberāre "to give free status to (a slave), release from restraint, set free" — more at liberate

Adjective

liver entry 1 + -y entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Adjective

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of livery was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing livery

Rhymes for livery

See All Rhymes for livery

Browse Nearby Words

liverwurst
livery
livery color
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Livery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/livery. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

livery

noun
liv·​ery
ˈliv-(ə-)rē
plural liveries
1
: a special uniform worn by the servants of a wealthy household
a footman in livery
2
: the clothing worn to distinguish an association of persons
the livery of a school
3
a
: the feeding, care, and stabling of horses for pay
b
: the keeping of horses and vehicles for hire
c
: livery stable

Medical Definition

livery

adjective
liv·​ery ˈliv-ə-rē How to pronounce livery (audio)
: suggesting liver disorder : liverish
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