clerical

1 of 2

adjective

cler·​i·​cal ˈkler-i-kəl How to pronounce clerical (audio)
ˈkle-ri-
1
: of, relating to, or characteristic of the clergy
2
: of or relating to a clerk
clerically adverb

clerical

2 of 2

noun

1
: a member of the clergy
2
3
: clerk
4
clericals plural : clerical garments

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Under the settlement agreement, UIA is prevented from collecting overpayments until protest or appeal rights have been exhausted and claimants are given a chance to request a waiver based on financial hardship, administrative or clerical error or a wage reporting error. Adrienne Roberts, Freep.com, 9 Sep. 2025 That warrant was later corrected after a clerical error listed Menendez Abdala’s birth year incorrectly. Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2025 The Houthis are led by a family of clerical megalomaniacs who have been prophesying apocalyptic war since the early 2000s. Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025 Corpus’ defense counters that Tapia’s coding of overtime pay on union business was intentional, not clerical, and that the arrest stemmed from her effort to rein in costly overtime practices. Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for clerical

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of clerical was in 1592

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Cite this Entry

“Clerical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clerical. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on clerical

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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