What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
factotum
Example
The new employee was a factotum, able to handle everything from administrative tasks to customer service. [factotum: noun]
Example
She was a factotum in the office, taking on various roles as needed. [factotum: adjective]
generalist
Example
He was a generalist with a background in marketing, finance, and management. [generalist: noun]
Example
The job required a generalist approach, with the ability to handle different tasks as needed. [generalist: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Generalist is more commonly used than factotum in everyday language. Generalist is a versatile term that can be applied to many different contexts, while factotum is less common and may be seen as more specialized.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between factotum and generalist?
Both factotum and generalist can be used in formal and informal contexts, but factotum may be viewed as more informal or colloquial due to its less common usage.
