disciplinarian
Americannoun
adjective
noun
adjective
Etymology
Origin of disciplinarian
First recorded in 1575–85; discipline + -arian
Explanation
A disciplinarian is someone who expects you to follow a very strict set of rules. Many disciplinarians also believe in using harsh punishments for those who break those rules. The word disciplinarian is all about discipline, which originally meant "punishment for the sake of correction." The Latin root, disciplina, was a lot more about teaching, instruction, and knowledge than punishment, though. Today, a disciplinarian's intent is both to instruct by means of explicit rules and to punish when those rules aren't followed. If your disciplinarian parents tell you to take the trash out, you're probably quick to follow their instructions.
Vocabulary lists containing disciplinarian
Power Suffix: -arian
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Facing the Lion
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Somewhere Between Bitter and Sweet
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The family was conservative; her dad, a disciplinarian.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 10, 2025
The Agnews, Rikk, Frank, and Alfie, were the sons of a disciplinarian Irish father who worked for SoCal Gas and a Mexican mother.
From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2025
The disciplinarian of China Inc. has turned cheerleader.
From New York Times • Jan. 12, 2023
Johnson described his new Wing Commander as "arrogant, bombastic, a strict disciplinarian, but one of the best pilots in Bomber Command".
From BBC • Dec. 8, 2022
He was very much a disciplinarian, and he regimented our coming and going.
From "While the World Watched: A Birmingham Bombing Survivor Comes of Age during the Civil Rights Movement" by Carolyn Maull McKinstry
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.
