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

The law only allows schools to recognize changes made to birth certificates that were made to correct a clerical error. —Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 18 July 2025

The recent war has exposed the fragility of Iran’s clerical regime, and made planning for leadership succession an even more urgent matter. —Ilan Berman, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025

The new union, College of DuPage Staff United/AFSCME, will represent classified staff, including administrative, clerical, IT and other employees who support students and faculty, a news release said. —Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2025

For example, in Palm Beach County, the Association of Educational Secretaries and Office Professionals representing clerical workers was decertified last year for this reason, Longhofer said. —Lauren Brensel, Sun Sentinel, 10 July 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