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