Factotum

Meaning

(dated) A person having many diverse activities or responsibilities..

Definitions by Sense

1. (dated) A person having many diverse activities or responsibilities.
2. (dated) A general servant.
3. A person employed to do all sorts of duties.
4. A jack of all trades.
5. (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.

Example Sentences

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.

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.

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

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.

Word Forms

• factotums
• factota

Synonyms for factotum

Related Words

When Should You Use Factotum?

Use factotum when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

Practice This Word

Frequently Asked Questions