factotum

[ fak-toh-tuhm ]

noun

1. a person, as a handyman or servant, employed to do all kinds of work around the house.
2. any employee or official having many different responsibilities.

factotum

/ fækˈtəʊtəm /

noun

1. a person employed to do all kinds of work

Word History and Origins

Origin of factotum¹

1560–70; < Medieval Latin, equivalent to Latin fac make, do (imperative of facere ) + tōtum, neuter of tōtus all

Word History and Origins

Origin of factotum¹

C16: from Medieval Latin, from Latin fac! do! + tōtum , from tōtus (adj) all

Example Sentences

With a chemistry background, Jean assumed the role of winemaker, with Baker as general factotum.

From Seattle Times

“But the fact that he chose The Journal — and that the editorial page was willing to serve as his loyal factotum — says a great deal about the relationship between the two parties.”

From New York Times

Like Rico said, one of the ways we think of the factotum is being a jack-of-all-trades.

From New York Times

Edward Nelson, sounding handsome and polished, turns the Barber into an unusually compelling factotum.

From New York Times

They — and their paid financial factotums — know the IRS doesn’t have the time and resources to investigate their long and complex returns properly.

From Washington Post