Word
hierarchical
Phoneticshi·er·ar·chi·cal
US/ˌhaɪˈɹɑɹkəkəɫ/
UK/haɪəɹˈɑːkɪkəl/
Definition
adj. organized into different levels of importance or power. In this kind of system, people or things at the top have more authority than those at the bottom.
adj. arranged in order of rank, grade, or class. Often describes social, corporate, or biological structures where power or complexity increases at higher levels.
Examples
“The company has a very hierarchical structure.”
“In a strictly hierarchical organization, employees must follow a clear chain of command when reporting issues.”
“Traditional military units maintain a hierarchical system to ensure that orders are executed efficiently and that responsibility is clearly assigned during high-pressure operations.”
Examples
simple
“The company has a very hierarchical structure.”
contextual
“In a strictly hierarchical organization, employees must follow a clear chain of command when reporting issues.”
complex
“Traditional military units maintain a hierarchical system to ensure that orders are executed efficiently and that responsibility is clearly assigned during high-pressure operations.”
Usage
Typically used attributively before a noun; often paired with 'structure', 'system', or 'society'.
Real-World Examples
“In the hierarchical and patriarchal university setting , power dynamics and inequalities must be addressed so people feel comfortable reporting and disclosing incidents to available support services.” “What if, instead of a contest between two flavours of hierarchical and unequal info-capitalism, we decided to shape artificial intelligence towards the ends Marx and Aristotle imagined?” Etymology
From hierarchy + -ical, compare French hiérarchique.
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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/hierarchical