committeeperson: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Institutional
Quick answer
What does “committeeperson” mean?
A gender-neutral member of a committee.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A gender-neutral member of a committee.
A gender-neutral alternative to 'committee member' or the gendered 'committeeman'/'committeewoman'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is used in both varieties, but its adoption may be more prevalent and earlier in American institutional contexts due to active gender-neutral language reforms. In the UK, 'committee member' is often preferred as the neutral standard.
Connotations
In both varieties, it often connotes a conscious effort toward gender inclusivity. In some conservative contexts, it may be viewed as politically correct jargon.
Frequency
Rare in general usage. Slightly more frequent in American official documents, university handbooks, or political party rules than in British equivalents.
Grammar
How to Use “committeeperson” in a Sentence
committeeperson for [department/constituency]committeeperson on [the planning committee]committeeperson elected by [the members]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in corporate governance documents promoting diversity.
Academic
Used in university committee descriptions and official policies on inclusive language.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation.
Technical
Used in formal parliamentary, political party, or organisational bylaws and rulebooks.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “committeeperson”
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “committeeperson”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “committeeperson”
- Using it plurally as 'committeepersons' (awkward; 'committee members' is better).
- Misspelling as 'committeeperson' (no space or hyphen).
- Using it informally where 'committee member' would sound more natural.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a single, compound word. Do not write it as 'committee person'.
The standard plural is 'committee members'. While 'committeepersons' is technically possible, it is very awkward and rarely used.
Yes, for most purposes 'committee member' is the more common, natural, and widely accepted gender-neutral term. 'Committeeperson' is a more deliberate, formal alternative.
It was created to provide a singular, gender-neutral alternative to the gendered terms 'committeeman' and 'committeewoman', aligning with movements toward more inclusive language.
A gender-neutral member of a committee.
Committeeperson is usually formal, institutional in register.
Committeeperson: in British English it is pronounced /kəˌmɪt.iˈpɜː.sən/, and in American English it is pronounced /kəˌmɪt̬.iˈpɝː.sən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A committee of PEOPLE needs a neutral PERSON to represent them.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMITTEE AS BODY / PERSON AS NEUTRAL COMPONENT.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'committeeperson' MOST appropriately used?