What does managerial mean?
Managerial is an adjective relating to the work, responsibilities, or skills of a manager. It is used for positions, decisions, styles, teams, and qualities such as managerial experience, managerial authority, and managerial skill. In British and American English, the word generally suggests directing and organizing people, resources, or operations, although it can sometimes emphasize a somewhat formal or hierarchical approach to control. A managerial decision is one made within the authority or responsibilities of someone who oversees an organization or team, while managerial skills refer to abilities such as planning, delegating, communicating, and motivating others. The term is especially common in business, government, education, and other professional settings. It is related to the noun management but serves a different grammatical function: managerial characterizes a person, role, decision, or approach, whereas management names the activity, process, or group of managers.
adjectiveRelating to the work, duties, or skills of a manager, especially the ability to organize people and resources effectively. It can also describe decisions, positions, or approaches characterized by managerial control or direction.
- Relating to the activities, responsibilities, skills, or position of a person who manages an organization, team, or operation.
"Her managerial experience transformed the struggling department into a productive team."
"She was promoted to a managerial role after leading the successful regional campaign."
"The report criticizes the company's managerial approach to staff turnover."
Managerial has a wonderfully literal beginning: the word manager ultimately traces to the Latin manus, meaning “hand,” so management began with the act of handling affairs.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does managerial come from?
Managerial was formed from manager with the suffix -ial, meaning “pertaining to” or “connected with.” Manager entered English through French from Italian maneggiare, “to handle” or “manage,” an expression based on the Latin manus, meaning “hand,” and agere, meaning “to drive” or “do.” The same Latin foundation also underlies management, manageable, manoeuvre, and manual.
Related word forms
How managerial is actually used
This word is most often used in professional, business, and institutional contexts. It commonly forms phrases such as managerial skills, managerial experience, and managerial decision-making, and is usually more formal than words such as managing or boss.
Easily confused with managerial
Managerial is an adjective describing work, duties, skills, or decisions associated with managing, whereas management is a noun referring to managers collectively or to the process of organizing and directing an organization.