majordomo
|ma-jor-do-mo|
🇺🇸
/ˌmædʒɚˈdoʊmoʊ/
🇬🇧
/ˌmædʒəˈdəʊməʊ/
chief steward / head manager of a household
Etymology
'majordomo' originates from Spanish, specifically the word 'mayordomo', where 'mayor' (from Latin 'maior') meant 'greater' and 'domo' (from Latin 'domus') meant 'house'.
'majordomo' changed from the Medieval Latin phrase 'major domus' (literally 'greater of the house') into the Spanish 'mayordomo' and was borrowed into English as 'majordomo'.
Initially, it referred specifically to the chief steward of a household ('chief of the house'); over time it retained that sense but also broadened to mean a chief manager or administrator of affairs more generally.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a chief steward or head servant in a large household, responsible for managing domestic staff and household affairs.
The majordomo greeted the guests at the door and directed them to their seats.
Synonyms
Noun 2
a person who manages the affairs of an organization or who acts as a chief administrator or manager for a person or event (used more generally, often figuratively).
As the company's majordomo, she coordinated schedules and handled visitors' arrangements.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/08 00:56