bureaucratic
gb/bjˌʊɹoʊkɹˈætɪk/ us/bjˌʊɹoʊkɹˈætɪk/
B2
English
~ 8300
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
relating to bureaucracy or administration
About how a government or big organization works, with many offices, rules, and official steps.
Usage pattern:
[something] is bureaucratic
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "bureaucratic" (adjective) with "bureaucracy" (noun). Use "bureaucratic" before a noun (e.g., "bureaucratic process"), and "bureaucracy" as a thing by itself (e.g., "The bureaucracy is slow").
Synonyms
administrative (Focuses on managing an organization or government; often sounds slightly more neutral and less focused on complex rules than "bureaucratic.")
Antonyms
informal (Describes ways of working that do not follow strict official rules or structures, the opposite of a bureaucratic way of operating.)
Collocations
bureaucratic system
|bureaucratic structure
|bureaucratic organization
|bureaucratic administration
|bureaucratic apparatus
|bureaucratic state
Themes
politics
|business
|law
|work
Examples
- She wrote her thesis on the country's bureaucratic structure.
- The reform changed the bureaucratic system that manages public health services.
- Many citizens find it hard to understand the bureaucratic process for applying for benefits.
- The new law simplified several bureaucratic procedures inside the ministry.
- He has a senior role in the bureaucratic apparatus of the state.
Learner examples
- I do not understand the bureaucratic system in this country.
- The company has a complex bureaucratic structure.
- We must follow the bureaucratic process to get this license.
- They want to reform the bureaucratic administration of schools.
- She studies how the bureaucratic state works.
adjective
B2
property
2
overly controlled by rules and paperwork
Having too many official rules and steps, so that things become slow, difficult, and annoying.
Usage pattern:
a bureaucratic [process/procedure/system/requirement]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "bureaucratic" when they only mean "official" or "government". "Bureaucratic" usually has a negative meaning, suggesting that there are too many rules and that things are slow or difficult, not just that they are official.
Synonyms
overly complicated (Highlights the unnecessary complexity, while "bureaucratic" specifically suggests that the complexity comes from official rules and procedures.)
Antonyms
streamlined (Describes a process that is designed to be simple and fast, the opposite of a slow, bureaucratic way of doing things.)
Collocations
bureaucratic red tape
|bureaucratic delays
|bureaucratic nightmare
|bureaucratic procedures
|bureaucratic obstacles
|bureaucratic inefficiency
Themes
politics
|business
|daily life
|work
|law
Examples
- Getting a work visa here is a slow, bureaucratic process.
- They gave up on the project because of the country's bureaucratic banking system.
- The charity almost closed due to bureaucratic delays in receiving its funding.
- Starting a small business can be a bureaucratic nightmare in that city.
- We need to cut bureaucratic red tape if we want to attract investors.
Learner examples
- The system is very bureaucratic and moves slowly.
- We faced many bureaucratic problems when we opened the shop.
- It took months because of the bureaucratic process.
- This form is just another bureaucratic requirement.
- They want to make the rules less bureaucratic.
Grammar
Dictionary form
bureaucratic
IPA
GB/bjˌʊɹoʊkɹˈætɪk/
US/bjˌʊɹoʊkɹˈætɪk/
Syllables & stress
bur - eau - crat - ic (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (crat)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: bureaucratic
Word family
Core family
bureaucracy
noun B2
bureaucrat
noun B2
Related words
bureaucratically
adverb C1
Negative and opposite forms
non-bureaucratic
adjective
Advanced or less common
bureaucratize
verb
bureaucratization
noun C2
Expressions
bureaucratic hurdles
1/bjˌʊɹoʊkɹˈætɪk hˈɚdəlz/
fixed phrase
obstacles from official rules
Problems or blocks caused by official rules that make something hard to do.
Examples
- The company faced many bureaucratic hurdles before it could start building the factory.
- Students from abroad often meet bureaucratic hurdles when applying for visas.
bureaucratic nightmare
1/bjˌʊɹoʊkɹˈætɪk nˈaɪtmˌɛɹ/
fixed phrase
very difficult official process
A very bad and frustrating experience with an official process that has too many rules, steps, and forms.
Examples
- Getting the building permit turned into a bureaucratic nightmare.
- For small businesses, hiring foreign workers can be a bureaucratic nightmare.
bureaucratic red tape
1/bjˌʊɹoʊkɹˈætɪk ɹˈɛd tˈeɪp/
fixed phrase
unnecessary rules and paperwork
Too many official rules and papers that make things slow and difficult.
Examples
- The project was delayed for months by bureaucratic red tape.
- Investors complain about the bureaucratic red tape in the country.