factotum
Americannoun
-
a person, as a handyman or servant, employed to do all kinds of work around the house.
-
any employee or official having many different responsibilities.
noun
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.
Vocabulary lists containing factotum
Make Do: Fac
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!
Quiz yourself on these words spoken by the man at the center of the "Laurel" / "Yanny" craze!
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!
Florida's B.E.S.T. Roots: fac
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.
During a chance encounter chauffeuring François Truffaut around, the master auteur told the desperate factotum that he had an eye for directing.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 25, 2025
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
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
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.
