How to pronounce factotum
Say it like fak-TOH-tum. Factotum has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TOH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce factotum. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- fak
- TOH
- tum
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Factotum pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- fakKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- TOHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- tumKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of factotum
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: fak-TOH-tum.
What does factotum mean?
- A person employed to perform all sorts of duties.
- A jack of all trades.
- A person having many diverse activities or responsibilities.
Where does factotum come from?
Ellipsis of domine fac totum, dominus fac totum /dominus factotum (“absolute ruler; head servant”), from Medieval Latin domine fac tōtum (“O Lord, do everything”), also with substition of nominative dominus for vocative domine.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with factotum
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of factotum.
Questions about saying factotum
How do you pronounce factotum?
Say fak-TOH-tum. The American pronunciation is /fækˈtoʊtəm/. In British English it is /fækˈtəʊtəm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in factotum?
Factotum has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TOH). Broken into parts: fak · TOH · tum.
Is factotum pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /fækˈtəʊtəm/ (fak-TOH-tum).