Clerk — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈklərk/

Meaning & Definition of Clerk

Clerk (noun)

  1. cleric
  2. scholar
  3. an official responsible (as to a government agency) for correspondence, records, and accounts and vested with specified powers or authority (as to issue writs as ordered by a court)

Clerk (verb)

  1. to act or work as a clerk

Clerk (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. an official whose job is to keep records

    "you'll need to get a copy of your birth certificate from the office of the town clerk"

    similar: register, registrar, scribe, secretary
    related: archivist, bookkeeper, recorder, reporter, transcriptionist, annalist, chronicler, documenter, historian

  2. a person employed to sell goods or services especially in a store

    "the clerk suggested a different brand"

    similar: salesclerk, salesman, salesperson
    related: salespeople, salesgirl, saleslady, saleswoman, shopgirl, pitchman, pitchwoman, floorwalker

  3. a person specially trained and authorized to conduct religious services in a Christian church

    "the clerks in the rural parishes were for the most part sons of merchants"

    similar: clergyperson, cleric, clerical, deacon, divine, dominie, ecclesiastic, minister, preacher, priest, reverend
    related: churchman, clergyman, father, Holy Joe (slang), padre, clergywoman, deaconess, priestess, abbot, archbishop, archpriest, bishop, dean, diocesan, monsignor, pope, prelate, presbyter, abbé, curate, curé, parson, pastor, rector, shepherd, vicar, chaplain, confessor, sky pilot, evangelist, missionary, missioner, missionizer, revivalist, friar, mendicant, monastic, monk, oblate, religious, high priest, high priestess
    opposite: layman, layperson, secular
    near: lay reader, lector

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Clerk

The most common words with a similar meaning to Clerk:

register, registrar, scribe, secretary, salesclerk, salesman, salesperson, clergyperson, cleric, clerical, deacon, divine, dominie, ecclesiastic, minister, preacher, priest, reverend

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Clerk

Words with the opposite meaning of Clerk:

layman, layperson, secular

Related Words for Clerk

archivist, bookkeeper, recorder, reporter, transcriptionist, annalist, chronicler, documenter, historian, salespeople, salesgirl, saleslady, saleswoman, shopgirl, pitchman, pitchwoman, floorwalker, churchman, clergyman, father, Holy Joe, padre, clergywoman, deaconess, priestess, abbot, archbishop, archpriest, bishop, dean

Near Antonyms of Clerk

lay reader, lector

Word Forms of Clerk

Inflections: clerked, clerking, clerks

Derived words: clerkship (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Clerk

Middle English, from Anglo-French clerk & Old English cleric, clerc, both from Late Latin clericus, from Late Greek klērikos, from Greek klēros lot, inheritance (in allusion to Deuteronomy 18:2), stick of wood; akin to Greek klan to break clast

First known use: before 12th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Clerk

Words & Phrases Containing Clerk

city clerk, file clerk, law clerk, shipping clerk, stated clerk, town clerk

Frequently Asked Questions about Clerk

What does "Clerk" mean?

"Clerk" means cleric. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: cleric. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Clerk"?

Other words for "Clerk" include register, registrar, scribe, secretary, salesclerk, salesman, salesperson and clergyperson. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Clerk" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Clerk"?

There are 77 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Clerk". Common alternatives include register, registrar, scribe, secretary, salesclerk, salesman, salesperson, clergyperson, cleric and clerical.

What is the opposite of "Clerk"?

Antonyms of "Clerk" include layman, layperson and secular. Near antonyms include lay reader and lector.

How do you use "Clerk" in a sentence?

Examples of "Clerk" in a sentence: "you'll need to get a copy of your birth certificate from the office of the town clerk"; "the clerk suggested a different brand"; "the clerks in the rural parishes were for the most part sons of merchants".

Is "Clerk" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Clerk" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Clerk" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A2-level word, "Clerk" is typical of Cambridge A2 Key (KET), PTE Academic 30–42, TOEIC Listening & Reading 225+.

How do you pronounce "Clerk"?

"Clerk" is pronounced /ˈklərk/.