Langimage
English

bureaucrat

|bu/reau/crat|

B2

🇺🇸

/ˈbjʊrəˌkræt/

🇬🇧

/ˈbjʊərəˌkræt/

government official

Etymology
Etymology Information

'bureaucrat' originates from French, specifically the word 'bureaucrate,' where 'bureau' meant 'office' and '-crat' meant 'ruler.'

Historical Evolution

'bureaucrate' transformed into the English word 'bureaucrat' in the 19th century.

Meaning Changes

Initially, it meant 'office ruler,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'government official.'

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

an official in a government department, in particular one perceived as being concerned with procedural correctness at the expense of people's needs.

The new policy was delayed by the bureaucrat's insistence on following every rule.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Idioms

Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:35