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Synonyms

stenographer

American  
[stuh-nog-ruh-fer] / stəˈnɒg rə fər /
Or stenographist

noun

  1. a person who specializes in taking dictation in shorthand.

stenographer British  
/ stəˈnɒɡrəfə /

noun

    1. Brit equivalent: shorthand typist.  a person skilled in the use of shorthand and in typing

    2. a peson with these skills whose job it is to record verbatim everything that is said during a court case

"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 stenographer

An Americanism dating back to 1790–1800; stenograph + -er 1

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.

“We go from an investigative powerhouse to a stenographer for the state,” Alfonsi wrote.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 22, 2025

Rather, it belonged to a woman from Illinois with a versatile résumé that included writing, acting, engineering and working as a stenographer: Lizzie Magie.

From New York Times • Apr. 12, 2024

She worked as a stenographer for pay-as-you-go lessons.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 6, 2024

West also worries the increased record-keeping during the inquiry stage—including bringing in a stenographer to record testimony and labeling all evidence—could deter anyone coming forward with a complaint.

From Science Magazine • Nov. 28, 2023

She moved to Chicago in February 1893 and took a job as a stenographer for a law firm.

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.