bureaucratic
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of bureaucratic
From the French word bureaucratique, dating back to 1830–40. See bureaucrat, -ic
Explanation
Anything bureaucratic has to do with the business of running an organization — usually not in a very efficient manner. If there are bureaucrats or a bureaucracy involved, go ahead and call it bureaucratic. This adjective is used in a negative sense to describe a person or organization more concerned with following procedures than being guided by common sense. Bureaucratic things usually involve loads of paperwork and nonsensical rules, otherwise known as "red tape" — a connection that originated in the 17th century when official documents were bound together with actual red tape.
Vocabulary lists containing bureaucratic
This Week in Words: September 17 - 24, 2017
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Just Mercy
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“No staff filters, no bureaucratic dilution — a direct line to the secretary,” Hegseth said.
From Salon ● Oct. 3, 2026
But there were U.S. bureaucratic obstacles, including uncertainty about negotiating with the Myanmar junta and questions about which agency would take the lead, the officials said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2026
Tell her it’s a bureaucratic minefield that would stress anyone out.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 22, 2026
Under the new regime, visa holders who need more time will have to file formal applications with the federal government, subjecting themselves to additional background checks, biometric vetting, and other bureaucratic hurdles.
From Slate ● Sep. 17, 2026
After inevitable bureaucratic infighting and logistics problems, the Global Fund money—$1+ million for the central plateau, spread over five years—became available.
From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
