Below is an alphabetical list of common office terms with short definitions. They cover various aspects of office work and communication, providing a solid foundation for workplace English proficiency.
- Attendance
- Definition: The act of being present, especially at work.
- Example: Regular attendance is important for success in the workplace.
- Boss
- Definition: The person in charge or the manager.
- Example: I need to talk to my boss about my upcoming projects.
- Calendar
- Definition: A schedule or chart that shows days, weeks, and months of the year.
- Example: I marked the deadline on my calendar.
- Client
- Definition: A person or company that receives services or goods.
- Example: We have many clients in the healthcare industry.
- Colleague
- Definition: A person you work with, especially in the same profession or organization.
- Example: I discussed the project with my colleagues during the meeting.
- Conference Call
- Definition: A telephone call involving multiple participants for a meeting.
- Example: We had a conference call with the overseas team.
- Copy
- Definition: A reproduction or duplicate of a document, report, or file.
- Example: Please make a copy of this report for everyone.
- Customer
- Definition: A person who purchases goods or services from a business.
- Example: Our customer service team assists clients with their inquiries.
- Deadline
- Definition: The latest time or date by which something should be completed.
- Example: I need to finish this report before the deadline.
- Desk
- Definition: A piece of furniture with a flat surface for work.
- Example: I keep my computer on my desk.
- Email
- Definition: Electronic mail sent and received through the internet.
- Example: I received an important email from our supplier.
- Employee
- Definition: A person who works for a company or organization.
- Example: Our company has over 100 employees.
- Fax
- Definition: A method of sending and receiving documents electronically over a telephone line.
- Example: Please send the contract via fax.
- File
- Definition: A collection of documents or records stored in a computer or office.
- Example: I saved the presentation in a digital file.
- HR (Human Resources)
- Definition: The department within a company that deals with recruitment, training, and employee relations.
- Example: Contact HR for information about employee benefits.
- Inbox
- Definition: The folder in an email system where incoming messages are stored.
- Example: I have many emails in my inbox that need to be read.
- Interview
- Definition: A formal meeting to evaluate a candidate for employment or discuss a topic.
- Example: I have an interview for a new position next week.
- Invoice
- Definition: A document sent to a customer specifying payment details for goods or services provided.
- Example: Please process the invoice for the recent shipment.
- Job
- Definition: A regular task or position of employment.
- Example: I have a full-time job as a marketing manager.
- Keyboard
- Definition: The set of keys used for typing on a computer.
- Example: I need a new keyboard for my computer.
- Meeting
- Definition: A gathering of people for discussion, usually with a specific purpose.
- Example: Let’s schedule a meeting to discuss the project timeline.
- Memo
- Definition: A brief written message used for communication within an organization.
- Example: I received a memo about the upcoming office party.
- Manager
- Definition: A person responsible for controlling and coordinating activities and personnel.
- Example: Our project manager oversees the development team.
- Office
- Definition: A place where administrative or professional work is conducted.
- Example: I work in a busy office in downtown.
- Overtime
- Definition: Time worked beyond regular working hours.
- Example: I worked overtime to meet the project deadline.
- Payroll
- Definition: The total amount of wages paid by a company to its employees.
- Example: The payroll department processes salary payments.
- Presentation
- Definition: A formal talk given to an audience, often accompanied by visual aids.
- Example: I prepared a PowerPoint presentation for the client meeting.
- Printer
- Definition: A machine used for printing documents or images.
- Example: The printer is out of ink; we need to replace it.
- Project
- Definition: A temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result.
- Example: We are working on a new marketing project for the product launch.
- Promotion
- Definition: The advancement of an employee to a higher job position with more responsibilities.
- Example: She received a promotion after completing her training.
- Receptionist
- Definition: A person who greets visitors and handles inquiries at the front desk of an office.
- Example: The receptionist welcomed clients into the office.
- Report
- Definition: A formal document presenting information or findings.
- Example: I submitted the quarterly sales report to my manager.
- Salary
- Definition: A fixed regular payment, typically paid monthly, to an employee.
- Example: I received my salary at the end of the month.
- Scanner
- Definition: A device used to convert physical documents or images into digital format.
- Example: Use the scanner to upload the document to your computer.
- Secretary
- Definition: An administrative assistant responsible for clerical tasks and office management.
- Example: The secretary scheduled appointments for the executives.
- Software
- Definition: Programs and operating information used by a computer.
- Example: We use specialized software for accounting.
- Supervisor
- Definition: A person who oversees and directs the work of others.
- Example: The supervisor provides guidance to the team.
- Team
- Definition: A group of individuals working together to achieve a common goal.
- Example: Our marketing team launched a successful campaign.
- Telephone
- Definition: A device used for voice communication over long distances.
- Example: I called the client on the telephone to discuss the project.
- Training
- Definition: The action of teaching specific skills or knowledge to improve performance.
- Example: New employees undergo training to learn company policies.
- Vacation
- Definition: A period of time when someone takes a break from work or routine.
- Example: I’m looking forward to my vacation next month.
- Vendor
- Definition: A supplier of goods or services.
- Example: We work with several vendors to source materials for production.
- Voicemail
- Definition: A system for recording and storing voice messages left over the phone.
- Example: I left a voicemail for my colleague with the meeting details.
- Work
- Definition: Activity involving mental or physical effort done to achieve a purpose.
- Example: I have a lot of work to do before the end of the week.
- Workstation
- Definition: A designated area equipped for a specific task or job.
- Example: Each employee has their own workstation with a computer.
- Workspace
- Definition: The area where work is done, including desk, chair, and tools.
- Example: Keep your workspace organized for better productivity.
- Workflow
- Definition: The sequence of tasks that make up a work process.
- Example: We streamlined the workflow to improve efficiency.
- Workload
- Definition: The amount of work assigned to a person, department, or company.
- Example: The team is handling a heavy workload this month.
- Workspace
- Definition: The physical area where work is done, including a desk, chair, and computer.
- Example: Keep your workspace tidy and organized.
- Zoom
- Definition: A popular video conferencing software used for virtual meetings.
- Example: We use Zoom for team meetings with remote colleagues.
