major-domos
|ma-jor-do-mo|
🇺🇸
/ˌmædʒərˈdoʊmoʊ/
🇬🇧
/ˌmædʒəˈdəʊməʊ/
(majordomo)
chief steward / head manager of a household
Etymology
'majordomo' originates from Spanish, specifically the word 'mayordomo', where 'mayor' meant 'greater' and 'domo' (from Latin 'domus') meant 'house'.
'majordomo' changed from the Medieval Latin phrase 'maior domus' and Old Spanish 'mayordomo', and eventually entered English as 'majordomo' through contact with Spanish and French forms.
Initially, it meant 'the greater of the house' or 'chief steward of a household'; over time it retained that household sense and also broadened figuratively to mean any person who manages or oversees affairs.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a chief steward or head servant of a large household; the person who manages domestic staff and household affairs.
The major-domos ensured the staff were ready before the guests arrived.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Noun 2
by extension, a person who manages or oversees operations or arrangements for an organization or event.
Several major-domos coordinated the conference logistics behind the scenes.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/13 07:16