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

Van Arsdale said the inconsistencies in John Doe’s story were due to a clerical error in filing. —Elizabeth Wagmeister, CNN Money, 8 May 2025

Nothing crushes trust faster than feeling you’ve been blindsided, even if the cause was a simple clerical error. —David Boice, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025

The fact that William Nylander played such a prominent role in the series-clinching victory was made even more notable by the fact that he was nearly ruled ineligible to play because of a clerical error with the roster, on his birthday, no less. —Chris Johnston, New York Times, 2 May 2025

Parks and Rec was only nominated for Best Comedy Series twice — that seems like a clerical error. —Joe Reid, Vulture, 26 Apr. 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