Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

hierarchical

/ˌhaɪˈɹɑɹkɪkəl/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.26 in modern English

Syllables: hi-er-ar-chi-cal
IPA: /ˌhaɪˈɹɑɹkɪkəl/

22

Scrabble Score

12

Letters

5

Syllables

7

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Pertaining to a hierarchy (a ranking).

adj

Classified or arranged according to various criteria into successive ranks or grades.

adj

Classified or arranged according to various criteria into successive ranks or grades.

adj

Pertaining to a hierarch (a high-ranking priest or bishop).

Example Sentences

"She claimed that only a hierarchical society with a leisure class at the top can produce works of 'true' art."

Etymology

From hierarchy + -ical; compare French hiérarchique.

Word Breakdown

Suffix: hierarchy, hierarch

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˌhaɪˈɹɑɹkɪkəl/
British English: /ˌhaɪəˈɹɑːkɪkəl/

Derived Forms

ahierarchical antihierarchical hierarchicalism monohierarchical multihierarchical nonhierarchical polyhierarchical prehierarchical unhierarchical

Phrases

hierarchical database

Frequently Paired Words

hierarch hierarchal hierarchic hierarchically hierarchy relational

Synonyms

hierarchic hierarchial hierarchal

Questions

How do you pronounce hierarchical?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˌhaɪˈɹɑɹkɪkəl/.
What does hierarchical mean?: Pertaining to a hierarchy (a ranking).
Where does hierarchical come from?: From hierarchy + -ical; compare French hiérarchique.

How to pronounce hierarchical

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “hierarchical”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˌhaɪˈɹɑɹkɪkəl/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “hierarchical”.
Repeat and practice — Say “hierarchical” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.