WordGarden.iosecretary
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /sˈɛkrətrˌi/
US
- /ˈsɛkrəˌtɛri/
Meanings
Noun
a person whose job is handling correspondence, scheduling, and office administration
the head of a government department or a senior cabinet official
an officer of a club, company, or other organization who keeps records and handles correspondence
Beyond the definition
The word "secretary" has changed over time. It often means someone who supports a person or an office by arranging meetings, writing messages, keeping records, and helping daily work run smoothly. In many places, people now use titles like "assistant" or "administrative assistant" for this kind of job, but "secretary" is still widely understood.
It can also mean a senior government official who leads an important department, such as the Secretary of State or the Secretary of Defense. Context usually makes the meaning clear. You might say, "The secretary scheduled all the appointments," or "The Secretary announced a new policy."
Originally, a secretary was a trusted assistant, someone who kept records and handled private or official correspondence for another person. You can imagine a ruler, a business leader, or another important figure depending on such a person to manage letters, papers, and schedules. This meaning still exists today, referring to an administrative worker who supports an individual, a team, or an organization. Such a person may arrange appointments, prepare documents, answer messages, and help keep daily operations in order. "The CEO's secretary was known for careful attention to detail."
However, the word also has an important government meaning. A secretary can be the head of a government department, especially in titles such as Secretary of State, Secretary of the Treasury, or Secretary of Education. These officials are usually appointed to lead major parts of the government and help shape public policy. "The Secretary of Energy testified before Congress about climate change."
The word comes from the Latin secretarius, linked to the idea of private or confidential matters. That history fits both main uses of the word: a person trusted to manage information and support important work, or an official trusted to lead a major public department. So, whether you are talking about an office role or a cabinet title, the idea behind the word is responsibility, organization, and trust. Context will usually tell you which meaning is meant.
Examples
- 1
School office
I asked the school secretary where to pick up my timetable.
- 2
Law office
He worked as a secretary in a busy law office before moving into management.
- 3
Committee role
Please send the final agenda to the secretary of the committee by Thursday.
- 4
Personal assistant
She was the director's personal secretary for nearly five years.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Organization leader
The union's general secretary spoke to reporters after the meeting.
- Phrasegeneral secretary
the main administrative leader of an organization
- 6
Government title
The Secretary of State is visiting Japan next week.
- Grammar
Capitalized "Secretary" often means a senior government official
See also
Similar
- administrative assistant
- office assistant
Shades of meaning
- executive assistant
- personal assistant
- clerk
Contrast
Do not confuse
- secretary of state
Used with (collocations)
- private secretary
- secretary to the director
- secretarial duties
Word family
Explore
- clerical work
- office administration
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- secretarynoun
Forms
- secretariespluralnoun