chancellor

[chan-suh-ler, -sler, chahn-]

noun

1. the chief minister of state in certain parliamentary governments, as in Germany; prime minister; premier.

2. the chief administrative officer in certain American universities.

3. a secretary, as to a king or noble or of an embassy.

4. the priest in charge of a Roman Catholic chancery.

5. the title of various important judges and other high officials.

6. (in some states of the U.S.) the judge of a court of equity or chancery.

7. British.,  the honorary, nonresident, titular head of a university.

chancellor

/ -slə, ˈtʃɑːnsələ /

noun

1. the head of the government in several European countries

2. the president of a university or, in some colleges, the chief administrative officer

3. the honorary head of a university Compare vice chancellor

4. (in some states) the presiding judge of a court of chancery or equity

5. the chief secretary of an embassy

6. Christianity a clergyman acting as the law officer of a bishop

7. archaic,  the chief secretary of a prince, nobleman, etc

Other Word Forms

• underchancellor noun
• chancellorship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of chancellor¹

before 1100; Middle English chanceler < Anglo-French < Late Latin cancellārius doorkeeper, literally, man at the barrier ( chancel, -er ² ); replacing Middle English canceler, Old English ≪ Late Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of chancellor¹

C11: from Anglo-French chanceler, from Late Latin cancellārius porter, secretary, from Latin cancellī lattice; see _chancel

Example Sentences

The prime minister is leading a delegation of more than 100 entrepreneurs, cultural leaders and university vice chancellors, as he attempts to boost UK investment and improve sluggish economic growth.

Read more on BBC

The vice chancellor said the foundation was a "very reputable" group of leading Kazakhstani business people.

Read more on BBC

The Conservatives will set out proposals later on cutting public spending on welfare, aid and civil servants which the shadow chancellor will say would save £47bn over five years.

Read more on BBC

However, a Treasury source told the BBC: "When both the Labour chancellor and Conservative leader agree with each other you've lost the argument."

Read more on BBC

Economists have said taxes will have to go up in the autumn Budget if the chancellor is to meet her self-imposed rules on borrowing to fund public services.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• administrator 
• agent 
• bureaucrat 
• civil servant 
• commissioner 
• director 
• executive 
• leader 
• manager 
• minister 
• officer 
• representative 
• secretary