Definition

1. Noun:
   • An official appointed to investigate individuals' complaints against public authorities: An ombudsman is an independent officer, often appointed by a government or organization, whose duty is to receive, investigate, and help resolve complaints from citizens about maladministration or injustice in the public sector.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The ombudsman reviewed the citizen's complaint about unfair treatment by the tax agency.
  • If you have a problem with the council's decision, you can contact the local government ombudsman.
  • The university appointed an ombudsman to handle student grievances.

Advanced Usage

• "To take a matter to the ombudsman": To formally submit a complaint for investigation by this official.

  • After exhausting internal appeals, they decided to take the matter to the ombudsman.

• "The ombudsman's office": Refers to the administrative body or department where the ombudsman works.

  • The ombudsman's office issued a report criticizing the department's handling of the case.

Variants and Related Words

• Ombudsperson (n): A gender-neutral term for an ombudsman.

  • The company hired an ombudsperson to ensure fair workplace practices.

• Ombuds (n, informal): A common shortened form of "ombudsman."

  • You should speak to the ombuds if you have a complaint.

• Ombudsmanship (n): The position or function of an ombudsman.

  • The principles of ombudsmanship include independence and impartiality.

Synonyms

• Complaints officer: An official who handles complaints.
• Mediator: A neutral party who helps resolve disputes (though a mediator is typically less investigative and more facilitative than an ombudsman).
• Advocate: One who argues for or supports a cause (an ombudsman often acts as an advocate for fairness).

Related Phrases

• Parliamentary ombudsman: An ombudsman who deals with complaints about central government departments and public bodies, reporting to parliament.

  • The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman investigates complaints about the NHS in England.

• Financial ombudsman: A specific type of ombudsman service that resolves disputes between consumers and financial services providers.

  • The Financial Ombudsman Service ruled in favor of the customer.

Related Idioms

• (To act as) a watchdog: This idiom describes a person or group that monitors the activities of others to ensure they are lawful or fair, similar to the oversight role of an ombudsman.
  • The ombudsman acts as a watchdog for administrative justice.

Noun

1. a government appointee who investigates complaints by private persons against the government