director at large

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "director at large" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a member of a board or organization who has a broad role and responsibilities that are not limited to a specific area or department. Example: "As a director at large, she is involved in various projects across the organization, providing guidance and support wherever needed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

The National Jazz Museum in Harlem [Mr. Batiste is artistic director at large].

The New York Times - Travel

He had been a regional director at large on the association's board.

The New York Times

He had been a director at large on the association's board since 1995.

The New York Times

Mr. Ryan, 57, has been a director at large since 1998.

The New York Times

He had been a director at large for the Four A's since 2000.

The New York Times

Mr. Kaess, 46, has also been a director at large since 1998.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

In March, Glenn Hefferan, the director at-large for USA Hockey's Atlantic District, proposed that Team USA be made up of amateurs for the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City.

The New York Times - Sports

Batiste currently serves as the artistic director at-large for the National Jazz Museum in Harlem, New York.

Huffington Post

She is a Director-at-Large for LITA, the Library Information Technology Association, for 2013-2016.

Harvard University

University Professor of Chemistry; Associate Director-at-Large, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley; Chancellor, 1958 61.

Britannica

He served as vice president, director-at-large, and trustee representative for the Cornell Association of Class Officers (CACO).

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Clarify the specific responsibilities of the "director at large" if the title alone doesn't provide sufficient context. This helps avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "director at large" implies a lack of responsibility. Instead, recognize that it signifies a wide range of responsibilities across different areas, as Ludwig AI's examples show.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "director at large" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a specific type of director within an organization. It modifies the noun "director", indicating that this individual has broad, non-specific responsibilities as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Academia

36%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Science

9%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "director at large" is a grammatically correct term used to describe a director with broad responsibilities within an organization, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's most commonly found in "News & Media", academic and formal business contexts. While not exceedingly frequent, the phrase is well-understood and carries a professional tone. When using "director at large", ensure clarity regarding the scope of the role, and consider alternatives like "board member at large" or "director with broad responsibilities" for enhanced precision. By understanding its function and usage patterns, you can effectively incorporate "director at large" into your professional vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at-large director

Uses an alternative form and spelling of the phrase, while maintaining the same meaning.

board member at large

Replaces "director" with "board member", emphasizing the individual's membership on the board with broad responsibilities.

general director

Uses "general director" as an alternative, suggesting a director with overall responsibility.

director with broad responsibilities

Describes the role more explicitly, highlighting the extensive scope of the director's duties.

director with overall authority

Focuses on the director's comprehensive authority within the organization.

executive director at large

Adds "executive" to specify a director with executive powers and wide-ranging functions.

non-executive director at large

Specifies the individual is on the board and has a very large reach but is not involved in the daily running of the organization.

director of special projects

Indicates a director responsible for various special projects, implying a broad and flexible role.

director of strategic initiatives

Highlights the director's involvement in strategic initiatives, suggesting a role with wide-ranging impact.

roving director

Describes a director who moves between different areas or projects, emphasizing their flexibility.

FAQs

What is the role of a "director at large"?

A "director at large" typically has broad responsibilities within an organization, not limited to a specific department or area. They often contribute to various projects and provide general guidance, similar to a "board member at large".

How does a "director at large" differ from other directors?

Unlike directors with specific portfolios (e.g., finance, marketing), a "director at large" has a more general role, contributing to different aspects of the organization's operations. Their focus is less specialized than that of a "general director".

What are some alternative titles for "director at large"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternative titles such as "director with broad responsibilities" or "director of strategic initiatives" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "director at large" the same as "at-large director"?

Yes, "director at large" and "at-large director" mean the same thing. The term "at-large director" is simply an alternative spelling of the same term.