comptroller
noun
Did you know?
If you think "comptroller" looks like a mistaken spelling of "controller," you're partially right. Today, "comptroller" is an established word that shares one of its meanings (sense 3) with "controller." The term did originate as a misspelling, however. Around the 15th century, Middle English speakers altered the spelling of "conterroller" (meaning "controller," from the Middle French contrerolleur) under the influence of the Middle French word compte ("account"). The resulting word, "comptroller," has attracted criticism over the years. Grammarian Henry Fowler condemned "comptroller" as "not merely archaic, but erroneous" in 1920, and a lexicographical column from 1931 agreed that "comptroller" is "erroneous and should not be accepted as correct." Nevertheless, such modern institutions as colleges and governments continue to have comptrollers. "Comptrollership" occasionally turns up as well.
Examples of comptroller in a Sentence
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 16 June 2024
The comptroller has the authority and experienced staff members to conduct a thorough financial audit of the SEC.
—Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 7 June 2024
Also largely unaffected by the situation are newer trophy buildings in New York that are able to command rents of as much as $100 a square foot, double what older buildings can charge, according to the office of the New York City comptroller.
—Julie Creswell, New York Times, 6 June 2024
Some state money also paid Brian Koffler’s law school tuition, and Michael Koffler claimed maintenance on his Westhampton beach home and purchases in St. Barts as business expenses, according to the investigation by the New York state comptroller, attorney general and tax commissioner.
—Jennifer Smith Richards, ProPublica, 8 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for comptroller 
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'comptroller.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near comptroller
Cite this Entry
“Comptroller.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comptroller. Accessed 27 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
comptroller
noun
käm(p)-
Legal Definition
comptroller
noun
Share