secretary
gb/sˈɛkɹɪtˌɛɹi/ us/sˈɛkɹɪtˌɛɹi/
A2
English
~ 700
titkár, adminisztratív asszisztens, titkárnő, miniszter
NOUN
A2
1
Usage pattern:
[someone] works as a secretary
The secretary answered the phone and took a message for her boss.
A titkárnő felvette a telefont, és feljegyzett egy üzenetet a főnökének.
He hired a new secretary to manage his schedule.
Felvett egy új titkárt, hogy intézze az időbeosztását.
As a secretary, she organizes all the company’s meetings.
The secretary typed the report and sent it to all staff.
Her secretary booked the flight and hotel for the conference.
Learner examples
My mother is a secretary in a big office.
Édesanyám titkárnőként dolgozik egy nagy irodában.
The secretary writes emails for the manager.
A titkár e-maileket ír a vezetőnek.
I asked the secretary for help with my form.
The secretary makes phone calls every day.
He is the new secretary in our school.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'secretary' with 'secret agent' because of the shared root 'secret', but the meanings are unrelated.
Meaning
Office administrative assistant
Collocations
personal secretary
|company secretary
|executive secretary
|legal secretary
|secretary position
Synonyms
assistant (A broader term that can refer to any helper, not only in office work.)
|
administrator (Often refers to someone managing operations, sometimes at a higher level than a secretary.)
Antonyms
employer (An employer hires and directs the secretary, rather than performing support tasks.)
Themes
business
|workplace
|administration
|work
|communication
Definition
A person who works in an office, helping with writing letters, answering calls, and organizing meetings.
A person whose job is to help with administrative work, such as handling correspondence, scheduling meetings, and keeping records, for an individual or organization.
NOUN
B1
2
miniszter
B1
Usage pattern:
Secretary of [Department]
The Secretary of State will visit France next week.
She was appointed Secretary of Education by the president.
The Secretary of Defense announced new policies today.
As Secretary of Health, he introduced several reforms.
Learner examples
The Secretary of State met with leaders from Japan.
He is the Secretary of Education in our country.
The Secretary of Defense spoke on TV.
Common mistake:
Learners may think all 'secretaries' do clerical work; in government, it means a high-level leader.
Meaning
Government department head
Collocations
Secretary of State
|Secretary of Defense
|Secretary of Education
Synonyms
minister (Used in many countries instead of 'secretary' for similar roles.)
Antonyms
subordinate (A lower-ranking official who reports to the secretary.)
Themes
government
|politics
|law
Definition
A top leader of a government department.
A senior official in charge of a government department or organization, especially in the U.S. or other countries with similar titles.
NOUN
B1
FORMAL
3
titkár
B1
Usage pattern:
secretary of [organization]
The club's secretary sent out the agenda before the meeting.
A klub titkára a gyűlés előtt kiküldte a napirendet.
She was elected secretary of the student council.
A diákönkormányzat titkárává választották.
As secretary, he keeps detailed minutes of every meeting.
Learner examples
The secretary writes down what people say in meetings.
A titkár leírja, mit mondanak az emberek a megbeszéléseken.
Our class has a secretary to help the teacher.
Az osztályunkban van egy titkár, aki segít a tanárnak.
He is the new secretary of our sports club.
Meaning
Club or committee officer
Collocations
club secretary
|committee secretary
|union secretary
Synonyms
record keeper (Focuses on the task of maintaining written records.)
Themes
organizations
|administration
|relationships
|business
|communication
Definition
A person in a club or group who writes meeting notes and sends letters.
An elected or appointed officer responsible for keeping records, managing correspondence, and handling administrative matters for an organization, club, or committee.
Grammar
Dictionary form
secretary
IPA
GB/sˈɛkɹɪtˌɛɹi/
US/sˈɛkɹɪtˌɛɹi/
Syllables & stress
sec - ret - ary (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (sec)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: secretary
- Plural: secretaries
Word family
Expressions
Secretary of State
1/sˈɛkɹɪtˌɛɹi əv stˈeɪt/
fixed phrase
Head of foreign affairs department
The top government official in charge of foreign relations in some countries.
Examples
- The Secretary of State held talks with European leaders.
- She became the first woman to serve as Secretary of State.
Secretary-General
1/sˈɛkɹɪtˌɛɹi d͡ʒˈɛnɚəl/
fixed phrase
Leader of an international organization
The top leader of an international group like the United Nations.
Examples
- The Secretary-General called for peace talks.
- He served as Secretary-General for two terms.