ENGLISH
REFERENCE

secretaries

n. countable
A2 Elementary US //ˈsɛkɹəˌtɛɹiz// UK //sˈɛkɹətɹˌɪz// sec·re·taries

n. people whose job is to handle office tasks like writing letters, answering phones, and organizing meetings. In some organizations, this title also refers to high-ranking officials in charge of a department.

n. plural form of 'secretary'; refers to administrative assistants who perform clerical duties or to executive officers who manage government departments.


SIMPLE

The secretaries are busy answering phones and filing documents.

CONTEXTUAL

The company hired two new secretaries to manage the increasing volume of administrative paperwork and scheduling.

COMPLEX

While the term often describes administrative support staff, it also identifies the heads of major government departments, such as the various secretaries of state who manage international relations.

Synonyms
Usage

Plural form of 'secretary'. In modern business contexts, 'administrative assistants' is often preferred to avoid gendered or hierarchical connotations.

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