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factotum

American  
[fak-toh-tuhm] / fækˈtoʊ təm /

noun

  1. a person, as a handyman or servant, employed to do all kinds of work around the house.

  2. any employee or official having many different responsibilities.


factotum British  
/ fækˈtəʊtəm /

noun

  1. a person employed to do all kinds of work

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of factotum

1560–70; < Medieval Latin, equivalent to Latin fac make, do (imperative of facere ) + tōtum, neuter of tōtus all

Explanation

If you're running late and still need to iron your clothes and make breakfast, but can't find your shoes, you may wish you had a factotum, or a servant who does a variety of odd jobs for their employer. Factotum sounds like the two words “fact” and “totem” spliced together, but this curious noun originally comes from the Latin words that mean "do" and "everything." In current times, since servants aren’t typical anymore, we might call someone who has a paid job like this a jack-of-all-trades or possibly a personal assistant.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing factotum

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.

Over the following days, Bravo factotum Andy Cohen assured fans that the show wasn’t going anywhere.

From Salon • May 20, 2025

I embarked upon a role as his factotum in Washington.

From Slate • Nov. 1, 2024

With a chemistry background, Jean assumed the role of winemaker, with Baker as general factotum.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 2, 2023

Deborah has employees, who make a kind of family, most notably her gyroscopically even-keeled COO and factotum Marcus, played by Carl Clemons-Hopkins.

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2021

The advice that rankled most came from Ward McAllister, factotum and chief slipperlick to Mrs. William Astor, empress of New York society.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson