- The definition of mercenary is someone whose only motivation to do a job is the money they would be paid.
An example of someone that would be described as mercenary is a professional soldier.
- Mercenary is defined as a person whose only motivation to work is money.
An example of a mercenary is a person who cares only about money and would be willing to behave unethically to get it.
- working or done for payment only; motivated by a desire for money or other gain; venal; greedy
- designating a soldier serving for pay in a foreign army; hired
Origin of mercenaryClassical Latin mercenarius ; from merces, pay, wages, akin to merx: see market
- a professional soldier hired to serve in a foreign army
- any person who will do anything for money; hireling
- Motivated solely by a desire for monetary or material gain.
- Hired for service in a foreign army.
- One who serves or works merely for monetary gain; a hireling.
- A professional soldier hired for service in a foreign army.
Origin of mercenaryMiddle English mercenarie, a mercenary, from Old French mercenaire, from Latin mercēnnārius, from mercēs, wages, price.
From Latin mercÄ“nÄrius (â€œmercenary, hirelingâ€), from merces (â€œreward, wages, priceâ€).