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, 22 Apr. 2025
The comptroller’s 2023 State of the Economy report found that Maryland’s economic growth was lagging largely because of housing prices and commute times.
—Will Anderson, Baltimore Sun, 22 Apr. 2025
The Hotel Trades Council and 32BJ, two of New York’s most influential unions, are throwing their political weight behind Justin Brannan’s bid for city comptroller — the labor groups’ first citywide endorsements in the 2025 cycle.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 10 Apr. 2025
Last year the state comptroller ordered a forced audit of Dolton finances, ultimately assigning an outside firm to conduct audits after Dolton was unable to find an auditor willing to take on the job.
—Mike Nolan, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 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 3 May. 2025.
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comptroller
noun
käm(p)-
Legal Definition
comptroller
noun
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