# bureaucrat

/ˈbjʊɹəˌkɹæt/ (US) · /bjˈɔːɹəʊkɹˌæt/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bureaucrat
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

a person who works in a large government or company and follows strict rules and procedures. They often deal with paperwork and official forms.

For teachers: a person who works in a large organization, particularly a government, and is responsible for the routine administrative tasks of the organization.

## Examples

- The bureaucrat processed my passport application quickly.
- The new bureaucrat spent hours reviewing the safety reports before signing the final approval.
- While the bureaucrat was efficient in following protocol, critics argued that the rigid adherence to red tape stifled the very innovation the department was meant to foster.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.