functionary

noun

func·​tion·​ary ˈfəŋ(k)-shə-ˌner-ē 

plural functionaries

1

: one who serves in a certain function

2

: one holding office in a government or political party

Did you know?

For most of us, being described as a functionary wouldn't be a compliment. The word refers especially to a person of lower rank, with little or no authority, who must carry out someone else's orders. Bureaucrat is often a synonym. However, functionary can also refer to the world beyond government and offices; a character in a play, for example, could be called a functionary if it was obvious that her sole function was to keep the plot moving.

Synonyms

• officeholder
• officer
• official
• public servant

Examples of functionary in a Sentence

He was a party functionary during the political campaign.

spoke to high-ranking functionaries at the embassy in the hopes that they could help

Recent Examples on the Web

The hosts were Peter Yates, a functionary at the California Department of Employment, and his wife, the pianist Frances Mullen. —Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025

These latest comments came from party functionaries rather than civilians, and as such have made Modi and the BJP directly accountable for the noticeable rise in Islamophobia in India. —Sumit Ganguly, Foreign Affairs, 30 June 2022

Competent functionaries mostly belonged to other political camps. —Kaya Genc, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2019

The group’s materiel and manpower have been distributed across various security agencies, where they are managed by functionaries who are more loyal and less ambitious. —Julian G. Waller, Foreign Affairs, 14 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1785, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

functionary

noun

func·​tion·​ary ˈfəŋ(k)-shə-ˌner-ē 

plural functionaries

: a person who works for a government or political party