[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/mercenary/)

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# mercenary

noun (a mercenary, mercenaries); adjective (mercenary)

«mercenary» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A soldier who fights for any country or group that pays them, not for their own country. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mercenary/#m1)
2. (adjective) Interested only in money, not in being kind or fair. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mercenary/#m2)

### In the lessons

In history lessons and stories: kings hired mercenaries to fight their wars. In everyday talk, calling someone mercenary means they only care about money — a criticism. Phrases: hire mercenaries, mercenary army, mercenary attitude.

### Examples

- The king paid mercenaries to defend the castle. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mercenary/#x1)
- The mercenaries changed sides when offered more gold. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mercenary/#x2)
- He only helps if he gets paid — so mercenary! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mercenary/#x3)
- The story's villain led a mercenary army. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mercenary/#x4)
- A mercenary fights for money, not for loyalty. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mercenary/#x5)
- Don't be mercenary; help your friend for free. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mercenary/#x6)
- German mercenaries, in the Neapolitan service, kept guard, played cards, and diced; and a troop of strangers from beyond the mountains came into the town, accompanied by a sentry. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mercenary/#x7)

### Note

Plural mercenaries (y to ies). As an adjective it is negative (disapproving). Similar: hired soldier; adjective similar: greedy.

## In Jewish tradition

In history lessons and stories: kings hired mercenaries to fight their wars. In everyday talk, calling someone mercenary means they only care about money — a criticism. Phrases: hire mercenaries, mercenary army, mercenary attitude.

### Note

Plural mercenaries (y to ies). As an adjective it is negative (disapproving). Similar: hired soldier; adjective similar: greedy.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «mercenary» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mercenary/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«mercenary» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/mercenary.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «mercenary» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/mercenary/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«mercenary» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/mercenary.html) on Mova free.