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

• ministerial
• pastoral

Noun

• priest
• preacher
• cleric

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

Now, different South Carolina officials and agencies are pointing fingers at each other over what appear to have been two clerical errors that led to gaps in Dickey's record. —Audrey Conklin, FOXNews.com, 7 July 2025

Though Guidepost’s report and court filings in Hunt’s case referred to Womack with a pseudonym, a momentary clerical error left her name unredacted in a court document. —Liam Adams, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025

Brennan said the decision to end McHugh’s ministry was based on the recommendation of the independent Diocesan Review Board, a panel of church lay people and a priest who review allegations of clerical abuse and misconduct. —Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 24 June 2025

Is this the start of the collapse of Iran's clerical regime? —Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 22 June 2025

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

Rhymes for clerical

• spherical
• anticlerical
• hemispherical
• chimerical
• hysterical
• numerical

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