martinet: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal, literary; often pejorative.
Quick answer
What does “martinet” mean?
A person who demands strict obedience to rules and expects everything to be done in an exact, orderly way, especially in a military context.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who demands strict obedience to rules and expects everything to be done in an exact, orderly way, especially in a military context.
More broadly, any authority figure, such as a teacher, parent, or manager, who enforces rigid adherence to rules and procedures with little tolerance for deviation or individual circumstance. The term carries a strong connotation of inflexibility and excessive severity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in definition or usage.
Connotations
Equally pejorative in both dialects. The military association is slightly stronger in BrE due to historical context.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, but slightly more likely to be encountered in BrE historical or literary contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “martinet” in a Sentence
[be/act like] a martineta martinet about [sth]a martinet when it comes to [sth]the martinet of [place/group]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “martinet” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- His martinet tendencies made him unpopular with the recruits.
American English
- She had a martinet approach to classroom management.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Can describe a CEO or manager obsessed with micro-management and procedural compliance, often to the detriment of morale and innovation. (e.g., 'The new COO was a martinet about expense reports.')
Academic
Used in historical, sociological, or literary analysis to describe characters or real figures known for rigid authority (e.g., 'The headmaster was portrayed as a Victorian martinet.').
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation. Might be used humorously or critically to describe a very strict parent, teacher, or coach.
Technical
Not a technical term. Its use would be descriptive, not definitional.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “martinet”
Strong
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “martinet”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “martinet”
- Using it as a synonym for a generally strict but fair person (misses the negative connotation).
- Confusing it with 'martyr'.
- Mispronouncing it with stress on the first syllable (MAR-tin-et). Correct stress is on the last: mar-tin-ET.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, almost exclusively. It criticises someone for being excessively and inflexibly strict, often prioritising minor rules over human factors.
Yes, the term is not gender-specific. While historical examples are often male, it can be applied to anyone exhibiting the described behaviour.
It derives from the name of Jean Martinet, a 17th-century French drillmaster in the army of Louis XIV, who was known for his extreme and rigorous discipline.
A 'disciplinarian' is neutral, meaning someone who enforces discipline. A 'martinet' is a specific, negative type of disciplinarian—one who is harsh, inflexible, and obsessed with petty rules.
A person who demands strict obedience to rules and expects everything to be done in an exact, orderly way, especially in a military context.
Martinet is usually formal, literary; often pejorative. in register.
Martinet: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɑː.tɪˈnet/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɑːr.t̬ənˈet/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'MARTINET' sounds like 'MARTIAL NET' – a net of martial (military) rules that traps you. Imagine a strict sergeant named Martin who is a net for catching rule-breakers.
Conceptual Metaphor
AUTHORITY IS RIGIDITY / DISCIPLINE IS A MACHINE (implies impersonal, mechanical enforcement).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the term 'martinet' be LEAST appropriate?