English Reference
noun · verb

clerk

n. · v.
US /ˈkɫɝk/ UK /klˈɑːk/ clerk UK spelling clerked, clerking, clerks

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate

    n.a person who works in an office, keeping records and dealing with documents.

    n.an employee who performs administrative tasks, such as record-keeping, filing, and general office correspondence.

    Simple

    The town clerk filed the marriage certificate in the official records.

    In context

    The court clerk was responsible for managing the judge's schedule and ensuring all legal documents were filed before the hearing began.

  2. 02 B1 Intermediate American English

    n.a person who serves customers in a shop or hotel.

    n.a retail or hospitality worker responsible for sales, customer service, and basic financial transactions.

    Simple

    The hotel clerk gave us our room keys and a map of the city.

    In context

    The sales clerk at the department store helped the customer find a suit that fit perfectly for the interview.

  3. 03 C1 Advanced British EnglishTechnical Medicine

    v.to write down a patient's medical history and details when they first arrive at a hospital.

    v.to perform the initial assessment and documentation of a patient, including taking a medical history and physical examination.

    Simple

    The junior doctor had to clerk five new patients before the end of his shift.

    In context

    The surgical intern spent the evening clerking patients scheduled for elective procedures the following morning.

    Usage

    The verb is transitive and takes the patient as the direct object.

  4. 04 C1 Advanced American EnglishFormal Law

    v.to work as a clerk, especially for a judge or in a government office.

    v.to serve as a clerk, particularly in a legal or judicial capacity to assist with research and drafting.

    Simple

    After finishing law school, she went to clerk for a Supreme Court justice.

    In context

    Clerking for a federal judge is considered a prestigious opportunity for recent law school graduates seeking to refine their legal research skills.

He went to Morpeth secondary modern school and started work as a railway clerk at the town’s station in 1953.

The Guardian· 7 Sept 2026

This included the fear that she might lose him, specifically to a red-headed bank clerk who had flirted with him early on in their marriage.

BBC News· 25 Aug 2026
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Common
Updated