comptroller
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
Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 13 Apr. 2025
Brannan and Levine are battling for the comptroller nod because the incumbent, Brad Lander, isn’t seeking reelection in favor of running to try and unseat Adams as mayor.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 10 Apr. 2025
Additional guidance on security measures will follow in the weeks ahead, the comptroller’s office said.
—Danny Tow, Baltimore Sun, 2 Apr. 2025
Driving the news: State comptroller Jason Mumpower has been stumping for counties to conduct more frequent reappraisals, and several governments have taken his advice.
—Nate Rau, Axios, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for comptroller
Cite this Entry
“Comptroller.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comptroller. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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comptroller
noun
käm(p)-
Legal Definition
comptroller
noun
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