functionary

[fuhngk-shuh-ner-ee]

noun

plural

functionaries 

1. a person who functions in a specified capacity, especially in government service; an official.

   civil servants, bureaucrats, and other functionaries.

functionary

/ ˈfʌŋkʃənərɪ /

noun

1. a person acting in an official capacity, as for a government; an official

adjective

1. a less common word for functional official

Word History and Origins

Origin of functionary¹

1785–95; function + -ary, modeled on French fonctionnaire

Example Sentences

That so many corrupt functionaries and cartel capos ultimately face responsibility in the United States — and not in Mexico — underscores a fundamental weakness of the Mexican justice system, observers say.

From Los Angeles Times

Adolf Ziegler, the Nazi functionary charged with overseeing the exhibition, perceived no ambiguity.

From Salon

In his experience fighting the sports powers over abuse and coverups, Little came to appreciate that the most effective tactics called for reporting illegal acts to law enforcement, rather than sports organization functionaries.

From Salon

“He’s just a functionary of demonic forces; he’s like the devil’s idiot butler.”

From Los Angeles Times

That it’s a mythical allegation hasn’t stopped right-wingers and GOP functionaries from hand-wringing over the economic implications of any such change, and over the purportedly horrible impact on average Americans.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• assistant 
• broker 
• commissioner 
• deputy 
• handler 
• lawyer 
• minister 
• officer 
• operative 
• operator 
• promoter 
• representative 
• worker