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 The state comptroller released scathing audits in 2017, 2020 and 2023. Jonathan Mattise, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2024 So far, the field of challengers already includes New York City comptroller Brad Lander, state senator from Brooklyn Zellnor Myrie, state senator from Queens Jessica Ramos, and former city comptroller Scott Stringer. Chad De Guzman, TIME, 26 Sep. 2024 Amid the ongoing probe, some prominent officials had called for Adams to step down, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Scott Stringer, the former New York City comptroller, who will be running againstAdams in next year’s Democratic primary. Tom Tapp, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2024 The state’s economy has been fairly stalled since 2017, according to a 2023 report from the state’s comptroller. Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 22 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for comptroller 

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 5 Nov. 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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