comptroller

noun

comp·​trol·​ler kən-ˈtrō-lər How to pronounce comptroller (audio)
ˈkäm(p)-ˌtrō-,
käm(p)-ˈtrō- How to pronounce comptroller (audio)
1
: a royal-household official who examines and supervises expenditures
2
: a public official who audits government accounts and sometimes certifies expenditures
3
comptrollership
kən-ˈtrō-lər-ˌship How to pronounce comptroller (audio)
ˈkäm(p)-ˌtrō-
käm(p)-ˈtrō-
noun

Did you know?

If you think "comptroller" looks like a mistaken spelling of "controller," you're partially right. Today, "comptroller" is an established word that shares one of its meanings (sense 3) with "controller." The term did originate as a misspelling, however. Around the 15th century, Middle English speakers altered the spelling of "conterroller" (meaning "controller," from the Middle French contrerolleur) under the influence of the Middle French word compte ("account"). The resulting word, "comptroller," has attracted criticism over the years. Grammarian Henry Fowler condemned "comptroller" as "not merely archaic, but erroneous" in 1920, and a lexicographical column from 1931 agreed that "comptroller" is "erroneous and should not be accepted as correct." Nevertheless, such modern institutions as colleges and governments continue to have comptrollers. "Comptrollership" occasionally turns up as well.

Examples of comptroller in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web He was sworn in as comptroller of the currency in November 2017 and left office in March 2020. Luisa Beltran, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2024 Connecticut comptroller Sean Scanlon and other bipartisan leaders have likewise noted that undoing these positive reforms would assuredly upend Connecticut’s recent momentum toward fiscal stability and economic growth. Bryce Chinault, National Review, 13 Feb. 2024 Cohen’s legislation calls for the city’s comptroller to select a member for each district at random. Emily Opilo, Baltimore Sun, 12 Feb. 2024 Both audits, from the county comptroller, detailed what investigators consider to be questionable invoices and reimbursement requests from NewmanPR. David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 10 Feb. 2024 City comptroller Rolando Charvel said the new numbers stop at the end of November and don’t include most of the holiday shopping season, which looks promising in some initial data. David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2024 Four male executives — including Seymour Rosenberg and comptroller Yasuo Yoshida — were also charged with crimes: violating federal securities, mail and banking laws by preparing false financial records. M.g. Lord, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Jan. 2024 Nomination papers were due at 5 p.m. Tuesday for those wishing to run for seats across the city, which also include mayor, comptroller, city treasurer and all 15 of the Common Council seats. Journal Sentinel, 2 Jan. 2024 Lower- and middle-income workers who have moved out of the state often say they’re pushed away by a lack of affordable housing, according to a new report from the state comptroller. Katie Shepherd, Washington Post, 10 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'comptroller.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, alteration of countreroller controller

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of comptroller was in the 15th century

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Dictionary Entries Near comptroller

Cite this Entry

“Comptroller.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comptroller. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

comptroller

noun
comp·​trol·​ler kən-ˈtrō-lər How to pronounce comptroller (audio) käm(p)- How to pronounce comptroller (audio)
ˈkäm(p)-ˌtrō-lər
: a public official who examines financial accounts

Legal Definition

comptroller

noun
comp·​trol·​ler kən-ˈtrō-lər, ˈkämp-ˌtrō- How to pronounce comptroller (audio)
: the head accounting officer of a company or government

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