comptroller
noun
ˈkäm(p)-ˌtrō-
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
Susan Montoya Bryan, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
The property was sold by Epstein’s estate in 2023 — with proceeds going toward creditors — to the family of Don Huffines, a Republican candidate in Texas for election to the office of state comptroller.
—Susan Montoya Bryan, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2026
Hancock, a North Richland Hills Republican, resigned his seat last year to accept a nomination to become the acting Texas comptroller.
—Philip Jankowski, Dallas Morning News, 19 Feb. 2026
The comptroller's office did not respond to requests for comment.
—Hannah Kliger, CBS News, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for comptroller
Cite this Entry
“Comptroller.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comptroller. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
comptroller
noun
käm(p)-
Legal Definition
comptroller
noun
