clerk
klahk
Clerk (noun) means an office worker who handles records, correspondence, or accounts. Example: “A clerk at the town office stamped and filed every form.”
noun
1
An office worker who handles records, correspondence, or accounts.
"A clerk at the town office stamped and filed every form."
"The records clerk spent the morning updating the customer accounts."
"The clerk filed the documents in the wrong cabinet."
2
A person who assists customers in a shop, hotel, or similar business.
"The store clerk helped me find a pair of shoes that fit."
"Ask the desk clerk at the motel for extra towels."
"The hotel clerk checked them in and handed over the room key."
3
A law clerk who assists a judge with research and case preparation.
"The judge's clerk read through the case files and drafted a summary."
"He hopes to work as a law clerk after he graduates."
"She spent a year as a clerk for a federal judge before joining a law firm."
How to use clerk
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone whose job involves paperwork, records, or serving customers, especially in an office, shop, or court.
UK vs US
Pronounced "clark" in British English but "clurk" in American English.
Common pairings
law clerk
sales clerk
hotel clerk
file clerk
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like clerk.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- clerks
- Third person singular
- clerks
- Past tense
- clerked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ at the town office stamped and filed every form.
Etymology
From Old English clerc, ultimately from Greek klerikos, "of the clergy" — in medieval times, clerks were often literate churchmen, since few others could read or write.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for clerk
See all rhymes for clerk →Frequently asked questions
What does “clerk” mean?
The word “clerk” means an office worker who handles records, correspondence, or accounts. In plain terms, someone whose job involves paperwork, records, or serving customers, especially in an office, shop, or court.
How do you pronounce “clerk”?
“Clerk” is pronounced klahk (/klɝk/ in IPA).
How do you use “clerk” in a sentence?
Here is “clerk” used in a sentence: “The clerk filed the documents in the wrong cabinet.”
What is another word for “clerk”?
Words with a similar meaning to “clerk” include register, registrar, scribe and secretary.
What part of speech is “clerk”?
“Clerk” is a noun.
Where does the word “clerk” come from?
The word “clerk” comes from Old English. From Old English clerc, ultimately from Greek klerikos, "of the clergy" — in medieval times, clerks were often literate churchmen, since few others could read or write.
Is “clerk” a common word?
“Clerk” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “clerk” have?
“Clerk” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an office worker who handles records, correspondence, or accounts.
What is the difference between a clerk and a secretary?
A clerk is an office worker who handles records, correspondence, or accounts, often for an organization as a whole. A secretary typically supports particular people, managing their schedule, calls, and letters. The roles overlap, but clerk emphasizes record-keeping while secretary emphasizes personal or executive support.
What does a law clerk do?
A law clerk assists a judge with legal research and case preparation, such as reviewing filings and drafting memoranda. In many court systems these are prestigious early-career positions for law graduates. The role is distinct from a court clerk, who manages the court's administrative records.
What does a county clerk do?
A county clerk is a local government official, chiefly in the United States, responsible for keeping official records such as property documents, marriage licenses, and often election paperwork. The role reflects the core meaning of clerk as a keeper of records. Exact duties vary by state and county.
Is a sales clerk the same as a shop assistant?
Yes, broadly. Sales clerk (or simply clerk) is the usual American term for a person who assists customers in a shop, while British English prefers shop assistant. Hotel front-desk staff are likewise called desk clerks in American English.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include clerk:
