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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Overall, the state receives $14.3 billion in federal funds for a wide variety of programs that go to agencies, nonprofits, police departments and others, said state comptroller Sean Scanlon, who oversees state funding. Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 2 Feb. 2025 The trustees of the largest municipal pension fund, the New York City Employees’ Retirement System, include all of the city’s five borough presidents, the comptroller, the public advocate, the mayor and some top municipal union leaders, like the head of DC 37. Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2025 Richard Eckstrom resigned as state comptroller general in 2023 following a multibillion-dollar accounting error in a financial report. Jack Birle, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 24 Jan. 2025 Failing to act at Wells Fargo According to Hsu’s findings: From 2013 to 2016, Anderson failed to provide information or provided false, incomplete or misleading information during the comptroller office’s 2015 examinations. Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 15 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for comptroller 

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 7 Feb. 2025.

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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