noun
bureaucrat
BYOOR-ruhk-rat
Bureaucrat (noun) means an official who works within a bureaucracy, especially one seen as rigidly following rules. Example: “The proposal was stuck on a bureaucrat's desk for weeks.”
noun
1
An official who works within a bureaucracy, especially one seen as rigidly following rules.
"The proposal was stuck on a bureaucrat's desk for weeks."
How to use bureaucrat
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn official working in government or large-organization administration.
When to use it
Often used with a slightly negative, mocking tone.
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Word forms
- Plural
- bureaucrats
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The proposal was stuck on a _____'s desk for weeks.
Etymology
From French bureaucrate, built from "bureau" plus "-crat" ("ruler, member of a ruling group").
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “bureaucrat” mean?
The word “bureaucrat” means an official who works within a bureaucracy, especially one seen as rigidly following rules. In plain terms, an official working in government or large-organization administration.
How do you pronounce “bureaucrat”?
“Bureaucrat” is pronounced BYOOR-ruhk-rat (/ˈbjʊɹəkɹæt/ in IPA).
How do you use “bureaucrat” in a sentence?
Here is “bureaucrat” used in a sentence: “The proposal was stuck on a bureaucrat's desk for weeks.”
What is another word for “bureaucrat”?
Words with a similar meaning to “bureaucrat” include administrator, clerk, mandarin, paper-pusher, pen-pusher and pencil pusher.
What part of speech is “bureaucrat”?
“Bureaucrat” is a noun.
Where does the word “bureaucrat” come from?
The word “bureaucrat” comes from French. From French bureaucrate, built from "bureau" plus "-crat" ("ruler, member of a ruling group").
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