clerical
/ˈklerɪkl/ (bre, ipa) · [klˈɛrəkəl] /ˈklerɪkl/ (ame, ipa) · [klˈɛrəkəl] /ˈkler-i-kəl ˈkle-ri-/ (ame, mw)
clerical — adjective
- clericalpositive
- more clericalcomparative
- most clericalsuperlative
1. relating to the routine tasks involved in running an office, such as filing docu
relating to the routine tasks involved in running an office, such as filing documents, typing letters, answering phones, keeping records, and processing paperwork.
Sirin applied for a clerical position at the city hospital.
clerical + position / job / role
Hugo spends most of his day doing clerical tasks like filing and data entry.
clerical tasks / duties / work
A clerical error in the invoice delayed the payment by two weeks.
The company hired extra clerical staff to handle the end-of-year reports.
Femi's clerical duties include answering emails, sorting mail, and archiving documents.
- administrative
broader in meaning; includes managerial and policy-related tasks, not just routine paperwork
- secretarial
narrower; focuses specifically on tasks performed by a secretary, such as scheduling and correspondence
- office
more general; describes anything related to an office, not specifically the paperwork tasks
- managerial
involves supervising and decision-making rather than routine tasks
- manual
involves physical labour rather than desk-based paperwork
用法筆記
Usually appears before a noun (clerical work, clerical staff). This is the most common sense of the word.
常見錯誤
2. relating to priests, ministers, or other officially ordained religious leaders,
relating to priests, ministers, or other officially ordained religious leaders, including their roles, clothing, and responsibilities within a church.
The priest wore a traditional clerical collar with his dark suit.
clerical collar — the distinctive white collar worn by clergy
Roya's uncle has been in clerical service at the local church for thirty years.
clerical service / clerical training / clerical duties
Beatriz entered a seminary to begin her clerical training as a minister.
The bishop's formal clerical robes were decorated with gold embroidery.
- ecclesiastical
more formal; relates to the Christian Church as an institution rather than individual clergy members
- priestly
more specific; relates directly to the role and duties of a priest
- pastoral
focuses on the caring and guidance aspect of religious leadership
- lay
relating to ordinary church members rather than ordained clergy
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (OFFICE WORK) — this sense is restricted to religious contexts. When used alone without a religious noun, readers may misinterpret it as the office-work sense.
常見錯誤
clerical — noun
1. a person who has been officially ordained to lead religious services and perform
a person who has been officially ordained to lead religious services and perform spiritual duties in a Christian church.
The young clerical gave a thoughtful sermon that moved the congregation.
Members of the parish invited the new clerical to dinner after Sunday service.
countable noun: 'a clerical' / 'the clerical'
Sirin's grandfather served as a clerical in a small village church for decades.
Several clericals from different denominations attended the charity fundraiser.
- layperson
an ordinary church member who is not ordained
用法筆記
This noun is uncommon in everyday speech. Most English speakers use 'priest,' 'minister,' 'pastor,' or 'clergyman' instead. It appears more in formal or institutional writing and in church records.
常見錯誤
2. the special clothing traditionally worn by members of the clergy, typically incl
the special clothing traditionally worn by members of the clergy, typically including a black suit and a white collar that fastens at the back.
The minister adjusted his clericals before going up to the altar.
A clean set of clericals hung in the vestry ready for Sunday morning.
plural noun: 'clericals'
Ezra bought his first set of clericals when he was ordained as a deacon.
The bishop's clericals had a small purple cross stitched onto the collar.
- vestments
broader; includes ceremonial robes worn during specific services, not everyday clerical attire
- clerical attire
more general and descriptive; equally formal
用法筆記
This noun is always plural in form. The singular 'clerical' for a single garment is very rare. Use 'clerical collar' or 'clerical shirt' for specific items.