noun
Uncommon
admin
AD-mihn
Admin (noun) means Administrative work, such as paperwork, scheduling, or record-keeping. Example: “I spent the whole morning catching up on admin.”
noun
1
Administrative work, such as paperwork, scheduling, or record-keeping.
"I spent the whole morning catching up on admin."
"Teaching is rewarding, but the admin can take up half the week."
"She hired an assistant to deal with the admin so she could focus on clients."
2
A person who manages a system, website, or organization, especially with special access or control.
"Only the admin can delete other people's posts on the forum."
"Contact the site admin if you're locked out of your account."
"The group admin removed the message because it broke the rules."
How to use admin
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishShort for administration or administrator — either the boring paperwork side of a job, or the person in charge of managing a system.
When to use it
Very informal; fine in everyday speech but "administration" or "administrator" is more appropriate in formal writing.
Common pairings
system admin
do the admin
admin panel
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Word forms
- Plural
- admins
- Third person singular
- admins
- Past tense
- admined, adminned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
I spent the whole morning catching up on _____.
Etymology
A shortened form of "administration" or "administrator."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “admin” mean?
The word “admin” means administrative work, such as paperwork, scheduling, or record-keeping. In plain terms, short for administration or administrator — either the boring paperwork side of a job, or the person in charge of managing a system.
How do you pronounce “admin”?
“Admin” is pronounced AD-mihn (/ˈædˌmɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “admin” in a sentence?
Here is “admin” used in a sentence: “I spent the whole morning catching up on admin.”
What part of speech is “admin”?
“Admin” is a noun.
Is “admin” a common word?
“Admin” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “admin” have?
“Admin” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: administrative work, such as paperwork, scheduling, or record-keeping.
What is the difference between 'admin' and 'administrator'?
'Admin' is an informal shortening of both 'administration' and 'administrator'. It can refer to administrative work, as in 'I have paperwork and admin to do', or to the person in charge of a system, which is short for 'administrator'.
What is the difference between an 'admin' and a 'moderator'?
On a website, forum, or online community, an admin usually has full control over the system, including settings, accounts, and permissions. A moderator typically has narrower powers focused on enforcing the rules, such as removing posts or muting users.
Is 'admin' formal or informal?
'Admin' is an informal, everyday shortening that is common in workplaces and online settings. In very formal or official writing, the full forms 'administration' or 'administrator' are usually preferred.
