taskmaster

[ task-mas-ter, tahsk-mah-ster ]

noun

1. a person whose function it is to assign tasks, especially burdensome ones, to others.
2. a person who supervises rigorously the work of others.

taskmaster

/ ˈtɑːskˌmɑːstə /

noun

1. a person, discipline, etc, that enforces work, esp hard or continuous work

   his teacher is a hard taskmaster

Derived Forms

• ˈtaskˌmistress, noun:feminine

Other Words From

• taskmaster·ship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of taskmaster¹

First recorded in 1520–30; task + master

Example Sentences

Grateful Dead biographer David Browne wrote of Lesh, “Beneath that affable exterior lay a taskmaster and perfectionist.”

From Los Angeles Times

Mr Salmond described himself as a "tough taskmaster" when he was in charge of the government.

From BBC

“There’s also a great moral compass, it’s very strong, and there’s loyalty too. Even though he might be a taskmaster, he’s very loyal to his team.”

From Los Angeles Times

Then, 50 men identically dressed in truncated gray suits and khaki overcoats entered in rows and, cued by the ringing of a taskmaster’s bell, performed workaday activities like typing and eating lunch.

From New York Times

And he as well is an absolute dogged taskmaster.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• disciplinarian