taskmaster

[task-mas-ter, tahsk-mah-ster]

noun

1. a person whose function it is to assign tasks, especially burdensome ones, to others.

2. a person who supervises rigorously the work of others.

taskmaster

/ ˈtɑːskˌmɑːstə /

noun

1. a person, discipline, etc, that enforces work, esp hard or continuous work

   his teacher is a hard taskmaster

Other Word Forms

• taskmastership noun
• taskmistress noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of taskmaster¹

First recorded in 1520–30; task + master

Example Sentences

Despite his hard taskmaster approach, "likeability was important to him", one former employee said.

From BBC

Grateful Dead biographer David Browne wrote of Lesh, “Beneath that affable exterior lay a taskmaster and perfectionist.”

From Los Angeles Times

Mr Salmond described himself as a "tough taskmaster" when he was in charge of the government.

From BBC

“There’s also a great moral compass, it’s very strong, and there’s loyalty too. Even though he might be a taskmaster, he’s very loyal to his team.”

From Los Angeles Times

Then, 50 men identically dressed in truncated gray suits and khaki overcoats entered in rows and, cued by the ringing of a taskmaster’s bell, performed workaday activities like typing and eating lunch.

From New York Times

Related Words

• disciplinarian