secretary-general: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal
Quick answer
What does “secretary-general” mean?
The chief administrative officer of a large organization, typically an international body.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The chief administrative officer of a large organization, typically an international body.
A title for the highest-ranking administrative and executive official in certain large organizations, particularly international political or non-governmental organizations, who oversees operations, implements policy, and often serves as the main public representative.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling and usage are identical in both varieties. However, the role is more frequently encountered in British media due to the UK's historical involvement with international organizations like the Commonwealth.
Connotations
Formal, authoritative, diplomatic, international. No significant difference in connotation between BrE and AmE.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in British English contexts, but the term is standard in international English.
Grammar
How to Use “secretary-general” in a Sentence
[The] secretary-general [of + ORGANIZATION][The] secretary-general [verb: issued/ appointed/ met]to elect/appoint [NP] [as] secretary-generalVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “secretary-general” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The council will secretary-general the new policy initiative. (Note: Extremely rare/forced; not standard)
American English
- (No standard verb form exists for this noun.)
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverb form.)
American English
- (No standard adverb form.)
adjective
British English
- The secretary-general's office issued a communiqué.
- A secretary-general-level meeting was convened.
American English
- The secretary-general's directive was implemented.
- They discussed secretary-general succession.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; more common in corporate governance would be 'CEO' or 'Managing Director'.
Academic
Used in political science, international relations, and history texts discussing global governance.
Everyday
Very low frequency; encountered primarily in news reports about international bodies.
Technical
Standard term in diplomatic, UN, and NGO contexts for the top administrative post.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “secretary-general”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “secretary-general”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “secretary-general”
- Using plural 'secretary-generals' (incorrect; correct: 'secretaries-general').
- Omitting the hyphen.
- Confusing with 'General Secretary' (a similar but historically distinct political title).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Secretary-general' is the standard title for chief administrators of international bodies (UN, Commonwealth). 'General Secretary' is historically associated with the head of communist parties (e.g., the General Secretary of the CPSU) and some other political organizations.
Pronounce the plural on the first word: /ˈsek.rə.tər.iz ˈdʒen.ər.əl/ (BrE) or /ˈsek.rə.ter.iz ˈdʒen.ər.əl/ (AmE). The '-general' part remains unchanged.
It is highly unusual. Companies typically use titles like Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Managing Director, or President. 'Secretary-general' is reserved for large, often international, membership-based or intergovernmental organizations.
Usually, they are the chief administrative officer and public face, but ultimate political authority often rests with a council or assembly of member states. They are more the 'head of the secretariat' than a political leader with independent decision-making power.
The chief administrative officer of a large organization, typically an international body.
Secretary-general is usually formal in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The buck stops with the secretary-general.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: The GENERAL (overall) SECRETARY (administrator) of the whole organization.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE ORGANIZATION IS A SHIP / The secretary-general is the CAPTAIN.
Practice
Quiz
What is the correct plural form of 'secretary-general'?