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 Maryland taxes nonmedical marijuana sales at a rate of 9%, and netted $41.4 million in revenue in the first nine months of legalized recreational cannabis, according to the state comptroller’s office. Dan Belson, Baltimore Sun, 1 July 2024 Those numbers, which won’t become official until audited by the comptroller’s office in September, would mark the sixth time in the volatility adjustment’s seven-year history it’s collected at least $950 million. Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 27 June 2024 The comptroller also warned Metropolitan Transportation Authority leadership against borrowing additional money to fill the $15 billion budget gap. Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 25 June 2024 There were two documents that showed handwritten notes from Trump’s chief financial officer and his comptroller that clearly lay out the reimbursement scheme: 130 times two, to cover taxes, plus another expense, plus a bonus, for a total of $420,000. Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 28 May 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 27 Jul. 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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