secretary
/'sekrətri/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A person employed to handle correspondence, manage schedules, and perform administrative tasks: A secretary typically works for an individual, office, or organization, managing clerical duties.
- An officer in charge of official records and correspondence for a society or committee: This role involves managing the administrative affairs of an organization.
- A principal assistant to a leader or executive, often in a government or corporate setting: This can be a high-ranking official, such as a government department head.
- A writing desk with a small bookcase on top: This is a less common, historical meaning for a type of furniture.
Usage Examples
- Noun (Administrative Assistant):
- She works as a secretary for a large law firm.
- Please schedule the meeting through the department secretary.
- Noun (Government Official):
- The Secretary of Defense will hold a press conference today.
- He was appointed Secretary-General of the United Nations.
- Noun (Organizational Officer):
- The club secretary took detailed minutes of the meeting.
- Noun (Furniture):
- An antique secretary stood in the corner of the study.
Advanced Usage
- "Acting as secretary": Performing the duties of a secretary, often temporarily.
- With the main secretary on leave, I will be acting as secretary for the week.
- "Secretary to": A phrase indicating the person or entity one works for in a secretarial capacity.
- She is the personal secretary to the CEO.
Variants and Related Words
- Secretarial (adj): Relating to the work of a secretary.
- She is taking a course in secretarial skills.
- Secretariat (n): The administrative office or department of a large organization, especially a government or international body.
- The UN Secretariat is based in New York.
Synonyms
- Administrative assistant: A person who provides administrative support.
- Clerk: An office worker who handles records, accounts, or correspondence.
- Aide: An assistant to an important person, often in a political context.
Related Phrases
- Executive secretary: A senior secretarial position with more responsibility, often supporting high-level management.
- The executive secretary prepares the board meeting agendas.
- Press secretary: A government or organizational official who handles communication with the news media.
- The White House Press Secretary briefed reporters.
Related Idioms
- "The power behind the throne": While not exclusive to secretaries, this idiom can describe a highly influential secretary or assistant who wields significant power on behalf of their boss.
- Everyone knew the CEO's long-time secretary was the real power behind the throne.
Noun
- a desk used for writing
- a person to whom a secret is entrusted
- an assistant who handles correspondence and clerical work for a boss or an organization
- a person who is head of an administrative department of government