Factotum

Quick meaning: Factotum is a noun meaning A person employed to do all sorts of duties.

Meaning

A person employed to do all sorts of duties.

More Meanings

1. A jack of all trades.
2. (printing, historical) A large decorative printing block with a central space into which any letter can be inserted, used to mark the beginning of a chapter of a book in early printing.
3. (dated) A person having many diverse activities or responsibilities.
4. (dated) A general servant.

Example Sentences

Biden’s and Bush’s factotums had to walk their statements quickly back, emphasizing that U.S. policy had not changed.

Susan Bonner’s mistress hearing of Strong’s arrival sent for him at this juncture, and the Chevalier went up to her ladyship not without hopes that he should find her more tractable than her factotum Mrs. Bonner.

He lives with his devoted sister and factotum, Cyril (Lesley Manville), and a series of women who tend to be quietly eased out when they demand too much time and attention or — heaven forfend! — dare to speak during Woodcock’s monastic creative routine.

I had almost forgotten Monee, the grinning old man who prepared our meal. […] He was Po-Po’s factotum—cook, butler, and climber of the bread-fruit and cocoa-nut trees; and, added to all else, a mighty favourite with his mistress; with whom he would sit smoking and gossiping by the hour.

Word Forms

• factotums
• factota

Synonyms for factotum

Depending on context, synonyms include do-all, handyman, sciolist.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include handyman, do-all, maid-of-all-work, floater, functionary, factor.

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