majordomo
majordomo — noun
- majordomosingular
- majordomosplural
1. the senior servant in a large private house, palace, or estate, who manages all
the senior servant in a large private house, palace, or estate, who manages all the other staff and oversees the running of the household.
The duke's majordomo ran the entire estate with quiet authority for thirty years.
possessive + majordomo for noble households
Aoi watched the majordomo direct the kitchen staff before the formal banquet began.
majordomo + direct + staff collocation
In old novels, the majordomo greets every visitor at the front door of the manor.
The royal majordomo carried a silver key that opened every room in the palace.
After thirty years of service, Tomás was promoted to majordomo of the estate.
- butler
more common everyday word for a senior male household servant
- steward
broader; manages property or finances as well as staff
- head housekeeper
feminine equivalent in many households; oversees domestic staff
文法句型
a/the majordomo of [household/estate]
用法筆記
Subject is usually a large private estate, palace, or noble household; the word evokes a historical or aristocratic setting and is rarely used of a modern household.
常見錯誤
2. someone who handles the practical planning, scheduling, and daily arrangements o
someone who handles the practical planning, scheduling, and daily arrangements on behalf of another person, often a wealthy or busy individual.
The film star travelled everywhere with a personal majordomo who booked her flights and hotels.
personal majordomo collocation
Imani served as majordomo for the visiting ambassador throughout his week in the capital.
serve as majordomo for + person
Without his trusted majordomo, the senator could not have managed three meetings a day.
Kofi acted as majordomo to the elderly composer, organising rehearsals and shielding him from journalists.
Hana hired a majordomo to manage her schedule after the surgery.
- personal assistant
modern everyday term; less grand-sounding
- factotum
literary; emphasises doing every kind of task
- aide
neutral; common in political or executive settings
文法句型
majordomo for [person]
act as majordomo
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: here the role is about scheduling and personal logistics for one individual, not running a household's domestic staff. Often used jokingly or admiringly of an unusually capable personal assistant.