receptionist
pronunciation
How to pronounce receptionist in British English:
UK [rɪˈsepʃənɪst]
How to pronounce receptionist in American English:
US [rɪˈsepʃənɪst]
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- Noun:
- a secretary whose main duty is to answer the telephone and receive visitors
Word Origin
- receptionist (n.)
- "person hired to receive clients in an office," 1900, from reception + -ist. Originally in photography studios. Let me not forget the receptionist -- generally and preferably, a woman of refined and gentle manners, well informed and specially gifted in handling people of varied dispositions. A woman especially who knows how to handle other women, and who can make herself beloved by the children who may visit the studio. A woman, also, who in a thoroughly suave and dignified way, knows just how to handle the young man of the period so that the photographer may be glad to have his business. What a power the receptionist is when properly chosen and trained. It is not too much to say that she can both make and destroy a business, if she has the amount of discretionary power given to her in some galleries. [John A. Tennant, "Business Methods Applied in Photography," "Wilson's Photographic Magazine," October 1900] Earlier as an adjective in theology and law (1867).
Example
- 1. A receptionist at his company said he was traveling .
- 2. Almost everybody in banking from the receptionist upwards is a president of some sort .
- 3. Probably the reason she remained a receptionist was that she was really good at it .
- 4. In this conversation , sally is a receptionist for a major computer hardware supplier .
- 5. As sacks rounds the corner in to his office his receptionist greets him good morning .