secretary
Pluralsecretaries
Pluralsecretaries
- 1A person whose job is to write letters, keep records, answer calls and do other office work for someone.
Like the person who writes down everything important so no one forgets.
The secretary kept careful notes during every staff meeting.
She works as a secretary at a small law firm.
UsageSay she works as a secretary, or is secretary to her boss.
- 2A top official who leads one department of the government.
Like the boss in charge of one big part of the government.
The secretary of education visited several schools last week.
Each secretary leads one large government department.
UsageUse secretary of + a department: the Secretary of Education. Use a capital letter in a title.
Similarminister
Note
- 3A leading officer in a group like a political party, union, or international body.
Like the main organizer who runs a club or group.
The party elected a new secretary at its annual conference.
As union secretary, she negotiated better pay for workers.
UsageOften general secretary: the general secretary of a union.
Note
- 4Someone in a club, group, or company who handles its letters and records, writes notes at meetings, and sets them up.
My aunt was chosen as secretary of the garden club this year.
The secretary read out the notes from last month's meeting.
UsageOften with no a or the: she was chosen as secretary of the club.
Less common meanings
- 5A writing desk with drawers and a fold-down surface for writing.
Like a desk and a small bookshelf joined together.
She kept her letters in the secretary by the window.
An antique secretary stood against the living room wall.
UsageAlso called a secretary desk, so people know you mean the desk, not a person.
Similarbureau
- 6A short name for the secretary bird, a large African bird with long legs that hunts snakes on the ground.
Like an eagle with long legs that walks around instead of flying to hunt.
The guide told us the tall bird with long legs was a secretary.
A tall secretary walked slowly through the dry grass, looking for snakes.
UsageA short way to say secretary bird.
- 7A person you trust to keep your secrets.
Note
- 8To work as the secretary for a group or organization.
Showing meanings only.
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Origin
From Latin words meaning 'one who is trusted with secrets,' based on the word for 'private' or 'secret.'
Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 2 facts
- Secretary comes from a Latin word meaning 'one who is trusted with secrets'. en.wiktionary.org
- Its Latin source is based on the word meaning 'private' or 'secret'. en.wiktionary.org