concierge

[ kon-see-airzh; French kawn-syerzh ]

noun

, plural con·cierges [-see-, air, -zhiz, -, syerzh]

1. (especially in France) a person who has charge of the entrance of a building and is often the owner's representative; doorkeeper.
2. a member of a hotel staff in charge of special services for guests, as arranging for theater tickets or tours.
3. an employee stationed in an apartment house lobby who screens visitors, controls operation of elevators, accepts deliveries to the tenants, etc.
4. a janitor.
5. Obsolete. a custodian or warden.

adjective

1. pertaining to or being medical care for which the patient pays the doctor an annual fee for special or extra services:

   concierge medicine;

   concierge physicians.

concierge

/ ˌkɒnsɪˈɛəʒ; kɔ̃sjɛrʒ /

noun

1. (esp in France) a caretaker of a block of flats, hotel, etc, esp one who lives on the premises

Word History and Origins

Origin of concierge¹

First recorded in 1640–50; from French; Old French cumserges; further origin uncertain, possibly from Vulgar Latin conservius (unattested) “fellow slave,” from Latin conservus; con-, serve

Word History and Origins

Origin of concierge¹

C17: from French, ultimately from Latin conservus, from servus slave

Example Sentences

Inside, one of three concierges ask, without smiling, who I’m visiting, and I’m shown to one of the lifts.

From BBC

Even traditional gyms like Equinox are now offering a $40,000-a-year concierge membership that includes sleep coaching, personal training, massage therapy and nutrition advice.

From Los Angeles Times

To volunteer on Maui, don’t rely on last-minute suggestions from your hotel’s concierge or activities desk.

From Los Angeles Times

County Public Health, likened it to “concierge service.”

From Los Angeles Times

Rave to the kind young person who took me into the lobby of their apartment building, where they and the concierge helped stanch the flow of blood and offered to call for help.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• attendant
• doorman
• janitor