Word
clerical
Phoneticscler·i·cal, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈkɫɛɹəkəɫ/
UK/klˈɛɹɪkəl/
Definitions
01office work
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. relating to office work, such as keeping records, typing, or filing papers.
adj. relating to the routine work of a clerk or office assistant, typically involving record-keeping and administration.
“The company is looking for someone to help with basic clerical tasks like filing.”
“A minor clerical error in the shipping department resulted in the entire consignment being sent to the wrong continent.”
Antonyms
02religious
C1 · Advanced Religion Formal
adj. relating to the clergy, such as priests, ministers, or the church.
adj. relating to the clergy or the Christian church; specifically concerning the status or duties of ordained ministers.
Español:clerical
“He wore a clerical collar to show he was a priest.”
“The bishop's clerical duties often required him to travel between remote parishes to perform confirmations.”
Synonyms
Usage
Typically used attributively before a noun like 'work', 'error', or 'staff'.
Pitfall
a clerical of the church
a member of the clergy
Learners often use the adjective 'clerical' as a noun when referring to religious leaders; 'clerical' describes the role, while 'clergy' refers to the group.
Real-World Examples
“Wearing a clerical collared shirt, Boateng moves through rows of buses loading passengers before boarding one bound for Kumasi, Ghana's second-largest city.” “Hundreds of former members of the military have had their pensions slashed after receiving letters telling them to repay thousands of pounds because of a clerical error.” Etymology
From Late Latin clēricālis (“clerical”), from clēricus (“clergyman, priest”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/clerical
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0