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 of clerical

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

By the 1980s, England was beginning its turn away from churchgoing as a cornerstone of society, so nothing as extroverted or nakedly clerical as gospel choirs would fit a downcast, monochromatic land anyhow. — Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026

Rubio said the inclusive presentation was in keeping with the effort, begun by Pope Francis, to make the church less clerical and more reflective of the real world. — ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026

By all accounts, the real Grandier was a handsome, charismatic speaker as well as a serial philanderer who spoke out against clerical celibacy. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026

Becerra’s father later began a construction career that lasted 30 years, while his mother worked as a clerical worker and later purchased rental properties. — Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, 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