# clerical

/ˈkɫɛɹəkəɫ/ (US) · /klˈɛɹɪkəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/clerical
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. office work

adjective · CEFR B2

relating to office work, such as keeping records, typing, or filing papers.

For teachers: 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.

Usage: Commonly used in the fixed phrase 'clerical error'.

### 2. religious

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

relating to the clergy, such as priests, ministers, or the church.

For teachers: relating to the clergy or the Christian church; specifically concerning the status or duties of ordained ministers.

- 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.

Usage: Often appears in the phrase 'clerical collar' or 'clerical dress'.

## Examples

- She is looking for a clerical job in the city.
- The company is hiring a new assistant to help with clerical duties like answering phones and organizing files.
- While the executive makes the final decisions, the clerical staff ensures that every contract is correctly filed and that the daily operations of the office run smoothly.

---

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.