1730–40; < French: literally, godfather; Old French < early Medieval Latin compater, equivalent to Latin com- com- + pater father
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
I remember as a youngster coming here the first few times and hearing the sound of the masterful compère Don Goodwin facing off against the whirr of activity in the building.
From The Guardian ● May 10, 2017
Labour’s left was having fun by the sea and Mr Corbyn was its compère, tour manager and rep.
From Economist ● Oct. 1, 2015
In The Way of all Flesh, however, a compère is always present whose business it is to say good things.
From Aspects of Literature by Murry, J. Middleton
We trammelled kings can never go free of policy—ey, my compère of England?
From Chivalry by Cabell, James Branch
"Not yet, compère, and that is why I woke you; we must get on; we go too slow, ventre de biche!"
From Chicot the Jester by Dumas père, Alexandre
James McGrath, who is compere for the event, said he had known Marty for years, and "he's all about persistence and getting things done".
From BBC ● Aug. 28, 2025
He studied psychology at Queen's University in Belfast before making his first serious steps into stardom as compere at the Empire Comedy Club in the city.
From BBC ● May 20, 2023
After studying psychology at Queen's University Belfast, he made his first serious steps to stardom as compere at the Empire Comedy Club in the city.
From BBC ● Dec. 29, 2021
Antonio Pappano, tireless as pianist and compere, spoke of “reanimating the spirit of this gorgeous house”.
From The Guardian ● Jun. 21, 2020
“And now,” said Slughorn, shifting massively in his seat with the air of a compere introducing his star act.
From "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling
"If you're bringing children into the tent they are going to learn some new words," warned David Morgan, who compèred the stage on Saturday.
From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2022
The book is compèred by Serge Laget, one of France's great sports journalists, a veteran of a quarter-century of Tours.
From The Guardian ● Apr. 20, 2013
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
