fiduciary

1 of 2

adjective

fi·​du·​cia·​ry fə-ˈdü-shē-ˌer-ē 

-shə-rē,

-ˈdyü-,

fī-

: of, relating to, or involving a confidence or trust: such as

a

: held or founded in trust or confidence

a fiduciary relationship

a bank's fiduciary obligations

b

: holding in trust

c

: depending on public confidence for value or currency

fiduciary fiat money

fiduciary

2 of 2

noun

plural fiduciaries

: one that holds a fiduciary relation or acts in a fiduciary capacity

Did you know?

Fiduciary relationships are often of the financial variety, but the word fiduciary does not, in and of itself, suggest pecuniary ("money-related") matters. Rather, fiduciary applies to any situation in which one person justifiably places confidence and trust in someone else, and seeks that person's help or advice in some matter. The attorney-client relationship is a fiduciary one, for example, because the client trusts the attorney to act in the best interest of the client at all times. Fiduciary can also be used as a noun referring to the person who acts in a fiduciary capacity, and fiduciarily or fiducially can be called upon if you are in need of an adverb. The words are all faithful to their origin: Latin fīdere, which means "to trust."

Examples of fiduciary in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

There were concerns about a potential conflict of interest as directors have a fiduciary duty to all shareholders, according to a person who had been briefed on the tensions but was not authorized to comment. —Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024

But a Superior Court judge ruled last year that part of the case could go forward, examining whether Williams violated her fiduciary duty and should make restitution. —Keith L. Alexander, Washington Post, 30 Mar. 2024

Bipartisan majorities today understand what the nation’s founders grasped more than two centuries ago: The direction of our country—and especially financing of our elections—should be driven by 100% American interests, without fiduciary duty to foreign investors confusing the issue. —Ian Simmons, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024

The lawsuit claims a breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and unfair business practices. —Quartz Staff, Quartz, 18 Mar. 2024

Musk is suing OpenAI for breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty and claims of unfair business practices, among other grievances. —Rachel Metz, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2024

This case transcends a mere lawsuit centered on breach of contract, negligence, and a failure to adhere to fiduciary duties between potential competitors. —Nizan Geslevich Packin, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024

The plaintiffs are seeking damages from the defendants and declarations of invasion of privacy, unlawful imprisonment, assault and battery, negligence, breaches of fiduciary and trust duties, and breach of contract. —Leo Sands, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2024

The Musk lawsuit claims against OpenAI, Altman, and Brockman include breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and unfair business practices. —Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Mar. 2024

Noun

Ashley Dunning, the pension system’s fiduciary, raised concerns that the board might choose the more aggressive approach primarily because of pressure from the city. —David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2024

Attorneys, as well as professional fiduciaries, must be beyond reproach. —Pat Kapowich, The Mercury News, 24 Feb. 2024

Ensure fiduciaries uphold the duty of care and loyalty at all times and act in the interests of their clients. —Carlos Curbelo, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2024

There are complaints and judgments against this fiduciary. —Pat Kapowich, The Mercury News, 24 Feb. 2024

Calendar-year partnership, corporation, fiduciary and S corporation returns, which were previously due March or April 15 — for federal and state alike. —Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2024

Fund managers are fiduciaries who are supposed to work in the best interest of their investors. —R. David McLean, National Review, 31 Jan. 2024

The provision lessens the liability of a plan fiduciary when selecting an insurance company to provide an annuity in a 401(k) plan. —Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 5 Jan. 2024

Perhaps Nussbaum’s boldest position is that wild animals should also be represented by fiduciaries, and indeed be assured, by humans, the same flourishing as any other creature. —Elizabeth Barber, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from Latin fīdūciārius "holding in trust, of a trustee, (of property) held on trust," from fīdūcia "transference of a property on trust, trust, reliance, confidence" (from *fīdūcus "trusting" —from fīdere "to trust [in], have confidence [in]" + -ūcus, deverbal adjective suffix— + -ia -ia entry 1) + -ārius -ary entry 2 — more at faith entry 1

Noun

borrowed from Medieval Latin fīdūciārius, noun derivative of Latin fīdūciārius, adjective, "holding in trust, of a trustee" — more at fiduciary entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1641, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1631, in the meaning defined above

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Legal Definition

fiduciary

1 of 2 noun

fi·​du·​cia·​ry fə-ˈdü-shə-rē, -ˈdyü-, -shē-ˌer-ē 

plural fiduciaries

: one often in a position of authority who obligates himself or herself to act on behalf of another (as in managing money or property) and assumes a duty to act in good faith and with care, candor, and loyalty in fulfilling the obligation : one (as an agent) having a fiduciary duty to another see also fiduciary duty at duty, fiduciary relationship compare principal

fiduciary

2 of 2 adjective

1

: of, relating to, or involving a confidence or trust

a guardian acting in his fiduciary capacity

2

: of or relating to a fiduciary or the position of a fiduciary

a fiduciary bond

Etymology

Adjective

Latin fiduciarius, from fiducia trust, transfer of a property on trust