Origin: Latin suffix -al
Clerical has 5 different meanings across 1 category:
A member of the clergy.
"The clerical was surprised to see his old friend at the parish meeting."
appropriate for or engaged in office work
"clerical skills"
"a clerical job"
"the clerical staff"
Of or relating to clerks or their work.
"The clerical department is responsible for managing all payroll and filing tasks in the office."
In plain English: Clerical means related to office work, paperwork, and administrative tasks rather than physical labor.
"She works in an administrative role that involves mostly clerical tasks like filing and answering phones."
The word clerical comes from the Late Latin term clēricālis, which originally described things belonging to a clergyman or priest. It entered English directly from this source language, retaining its specific connection to religious officials and their duties.