What does clerics mean?
Clerics is the plural of cleric, a noun denoting ordained members of the clergy — priests, ministers, imams, monks, and other formally appointed religious officials. The term is broad and non-denominational, applying to leaders of virtually any faith tradition, though it appears most frequently in news coverage of Christianity and Islam, particularly where religious authority intersects with politics. Unlike more specific titles such as bishop or ayatollah, cleric carries no implication of rank; it simply marks someone as a professional religious functionary rather than a layperson. The word derives from Latin clericus, meaning a member of the clergy, which itself traces back to Greek klerikos, 'of the clergy' — a root it shares with clerk, since literacy in medieval Europe was largely confined to churchmen. In modern usage, clerics is a neutral, slightly formal term favored by journalists and historians alike.
nounClerics is the plural of cleric: ordained religious functionaries, such as priests, ministers, imams, rabbis, or other members of the clergy.
- Ordained members of the clergy — priests, ministers, imams, and other religious officials (plural of 'cleric').
"Senior clerics from across the region gathered to discuss interfaith relations."
"The country's most influential clerics issued a joint statement calling for peace."
"In medieval Europe, clerics were often the only people able to read and write."
Clerics is already the standard plural of the singular noun 'cleric'; the singular refers to one ordained religious official.
"One cleric objected, but most of the assembled clerics supported the reform."
Cleric and clerk come from the very same Latin word — for centuries, being literate in Europe essentially meant belonging to the clergy, so a 'clerk' was originally a churchman.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does clerics come from?
Cleric comes from Latin clericus, meaning a clergyman or priest, which derives from Greek klerikos, 'pertaining to the clergy', ultimately from kleros, 'lot' or 'inheritance' — an allusion to the clergy's share in God's service. The word entered English via Old French in the medieval period. Its sibling English word clerk shares the identical root, reflecting the fact that in the Middle Ages the ability to read and write was overwhelmingly a clerical preserve.
Related word forms
How clerics is actually used
The word is neutral in register and widely used in journalism, especially in reporting on religious affairs in the Middle East and other regions where religious leadership carries political weight. It can refer to officials of any faith, though it is especially common for Muslim and Christian contexts. The singular is 'cleric'.
Easily confused with clerics
Clerks are office workers who keep records and handle administrative tasks, while clerics are ordained members of the religious clergy — though both words share the same Latin root.