clerical

1 of 2

adjective

cler·​i·​cal ˈkler-i-kəl 

ˈkle-ri-

1

: of, relating to, or characteristic of the clergy

2

: of or relating to a clerk

clerically

ˈkler-i-k(ə-)lē 

ˈkle-ri-

adverb

clerical

2 of 2

noun

1

: a member of the clergy

2

: clericalist

3

: clerk

4

clericals plural : clerical garments

Synonyms

Adjective

• clerkly
• ministerial
• pastoral
• priestly
• sacerdotal

Noun

• clergyperson
• cleric
• clerk
• deacon
• divine
• dominie
• ecclesiastic
• minister
• preacher
• priest
• reverend

Examples of clerical in a Sentence

Adjective

She spent the summer doing clerical work for a lawyer.

a member of our clerical staff

The mistake was due to a clerical error.

Noun

some of the state's most prominent clericals have spoken out against the measure

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The doctor examining it quickly responded, thinking there must have been a clerical error: The packet didn’t include a biopsy to support the 2009 diagnosis. —J. David McSwane, ProPublica, 7 Dec. 2024

The election certification process—which used to be a routine clerical task—has been politicized in recent years by Trump's baseless election fraud claims. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024

Indeed, it’s sometimes overlooked that while the Czech lands were under Nazi occupation in 1939, the Slovak State was founded as a clerical client fascist state of Hitler’s Germany. —Will Tizard, Variety, 4 Nov. 2024

Yet manual data entry and clerical work are still among the industry's most significant time sinks. —Jonathan Treble, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing clerical

• clerical collar

Kids Definition

clerical

adjective

cler·​i·​cal

ˈkler-i-kəl

1

: of, relating to, or characteristic of the clergy

2

: of or relating to a clerk or office worker

clerically

-i-k(ə-)lē

adverb