Vocabulary Words Every Clerk/Receptionist Should Know

Phone

Definition: A device used for communication, typically by voice.

• I called my friend on my phone.
• She sent a message on her phone.
• Please turn off your phone during class.

Phone in a sentence

Desk

Definition: A piece of furniture with a flat surface for working.

• I study at my desk every evening.
• She keeps her books organized on her desk.
• The teacher sat at her desk grading papers.

Desk in a sentence

Call

Definition: To use a name or term to refer to someone or something; to contact.

• She will call her friend after school.
• He answered the call on his phone.
• They decided to call the meeting for next week.

Call in a sentence

Email

Definition: A method of sending messages electronically.

• I will email you the details.
• She checks her email every morning.
• He sent an email to his teacher.

Email in a sentence

Message

Definition: A piece of information sent from one person to another.

• I received a message from my friend.
• Please send me a message when you arrive.
• The message was clear and easy to understand.

Message in a sentence

Client

Definition: A person or organization that receives services from a professional.

• The lawyer met with a client to discuss the case.
• She is a client at the local hair salon.
• The company values every client highly.

Client in a sentence

Office

Definition: A place where people work, often in an administrative capacity.

• She works in an office downtown.
• They have a meeting in the office tomorrow.
• His office is very organized and tidy.

Office in a sentence

Schedule

Definition: A plan that shows when tasks or events will happen.

• I have a busy schedule this week.
• She made a schedule for her study time.
• They checked the schedule for movie times.

Schedule in a sentence

Meeting

Definition: A gathering of people to discuss something.

• We have a meeting to plan the event.
• She prepared for the meeting with her team.
• The meeting will start at 3 PM sharp.

Meeting in a sentence

Greet

Definition: To say hello to someone.

• I greet my teacher every morning.
• They always greet their guests with a smile.
• It's polite to greet someone when you meet them.

Greet in a sentence

Name

Definition: A word by which a person or thing is known.

• What is your name?
• Her name is Sarah.
• He wrote his name on the paper.

Name in a sentence

Help

Definition: To assist someone with something.

• Can you help me with my homework?
• She helped her mother in the kitchen.
• He always helps his friends.

Help in a sentence

Work

Definition: activity involving mental or physical effort

• He has a lot of work to do this week.
• She enjoys her work as a teacher.
• They finished their work ahead of schedule.

Work in a sentence

Paper

Definition: A material used for writing or printing; a document.

• I need paper to write my notes.
• The teacher handed out paper for the test.
• She drew a picture on a piece of paper.

Paper in a sentence

Pen

Definition: A writing instrument filled with ink.

• I need a pen to sign the document.
• He wrote his name with a blue pen.
• She always carries a pen in her bag.

Pen in a sentence

File

Definition: A collection of documents or data stored together.

• I need to organize my files on the computer.
• He saved the file in a new folder.
• Please check the file for the latest updates.

File in a sentence

Book

Definition: A set of written pages bound together.

• I am reading a storybook.
• She borrowed a book from the library.
• He wrote a book about history.

Book in a sentence

Note

Definition: A short written message or a record of something.

• He wrote a note to remind himself.
• She left a note on the table for her mom.
• I took a note during the lecture.

Note in a sentence

Time

Definition: A measured period during which events occur; a point in the day.

• What time is it now?
• We need to manage our time wisely.
• Time flies when you're having fun.

Time in a sentence

Date

Definition: A specific day of the month or year.

• What date is your birthday?
• We have a meeting scheduled for that date.
• She wrote the date down in her planner.

Date in a sentence

Appointment

Definition: A scheduled meeting or arrangement.

• I have a doctor's appointment this afternoon.
• She made an appointment to see the dentist.
• His appointment was confirmed by email.

Appointment in a sentence

Welcome

Definition: To greet someone in a friendly way; to accept.

• They welcome new students to the school.
• She felt a warm welcome from her friends.
• His welcome was genuine and kind.

Welcome in a sentence

Document

Definition: A written or printed paper that provides information.

• Please sign the document.
• I need to read this document carefully.
• They stored the document in a safe place.

Document in a sentence

Support

Definition: To help or provide assistance to someone or something.

• Friends should support each other.
• The community came together to support the event.
• We need to support local businesses.

Support in a sentence

Service

Definition: The action of helping or doing work for someone.

• The restaurant provides excellent service to its customers.
• We offer a service to help students with their studies.
• Volunteering is a way to give back to the community through service.

Service in a sentence

Task

Definition: A piece of work to be done; a duty or job.

• I have a task to complete for school.
• She finished her task before the deadline.
• They assigned a task to each group member.

Task in a sentence

Information

Definition: Facts or details about a subject.

• I need more information about the project.
• The teacher provides information on how to study.
• You can find information online for your research.

Information in a sentence

Answer

Definition: A response to a question or problem.

• Please provide an answer to the math question.
• She raised her hand to give the answer in class.
• Understanding how to answer questions is essential for learning.

Answer in a sentence

Request

Definition: To ask for something formally or politely.

• He made a request for extra time on the assignment.
• She sent a request to join the club.
• Understanding how to make a request can improve communication.

Request in a sentence

Team

Definition: A group of individuals working together towards a common goal.

• The soccer team practiced every day after school.
• They formed a team for the science project.
• Teamwork is essential for success.

Team in a sentence

Visitor

Definition: A person who comes to see a place or person.

• The museum had many visitors on the weekend.
• She was a visitor to the city and loved the sights.
• Understanding visitor experiences can help improve attractions.

Visitor in a sentence

Telephone

Definition: a device used to make voice calls over distances

• She called her friend on the telephone.
• The telephone has changed how we communicate.
• He answered the telephone with a smile.

Telephone in a sentence

Greeting

Definition: A polite word or sign of welcome; an expression of goodwill.

• She gave him a friendly greeting when he arrived.
• The greeting card said "Happy Birthday!"
• A warm greeting can make someone feel welcome.

Greeting in a sentence

Inquiry

Definition: the act of asking questions to gain information

• The teacher encouraged inquiry during the lesson.
• Her inquiry into science led to many discoveries.
• Understanding inquiry promotes critical thinking.

Inquiry in a sentence

Reception

Definition: The act of receiving or welcoming someone; also refers to a front desk in an office.

• The reception at the hotel was friendly.
• She works at the reception desk of the office.
• They held a reception to celebrate the achievement.

Reception in a sentence

Polite

Definition: Showing good manners and respect toward others.

• It's polite to say thank you.
• She always speaks in a polite manner.
• Being polite makes a good impression.

Polite in a sentence

Assist

Definition: To help someone with a task or problem.

• I will assist you with your homework if you need help.
• The teacher asked me to assist my classmates during the project.
• Doctors assist patients in getting better.

Assist in a sentence

Organize

Definition: To arrange or put things in order.

• I will organize my desk tomorrow.
• She likes to organize events for her friends.
• They need to organize their notes before the exam.

Organize in a sentence

Confirm

Definition: To establish the truth or correctness of something.

• Please confirm your attendance at the event.
• The doctor will confirm the diagnosis soon.
• I need to confirm the meeting time with her.

Confirm in a sentence

Respond

Definition: To reply or answer to something, such as a question or request.

• Please respond to my email as soon as you can.
• He decided to respond to the invitation.
• How did she respond to the news?

Respond in a sentence

Professional

Definition: A person who is skilled in a specific field.

• He is a professional athlete.
• She gave a professional presentation.
• Being professional includes good behavior.

Professional in a sentence

Efficient

Definition: Producing results without waste; effective and organized.

• The new system is more efficient than the old one.
• She is efficient at completing tasks on time.
• Understanding efficiency is important for success.

Efficient in a sentence

Correspondence

Definition: Written communication, often between people or organizations.

• She kept a correspondence with her pen pal in another country.
• The company values correspondence with its customers.
• Understanding correspondence is important in business communication.

Correspondence in a sentence

Documentation

Definition: The act of providing written evidence or records; materials that provide information.

• Proper documentation is important for legal processes.
• She prepared the documentation for the project.
• The documentation helped clarify the procedures.

Documentation in a sentence

Communication

Definition: The process of sharing information between people.

• Good communication is key to teamwork.
• We use different methods of communication, like texting.
• Effective communication helps prevent misunderstandings.

Communication in a sentence

Professionalism

Definition: The conduct, behavior, and attitude expected in a professional setting.

• Showing professionalism is important in any job.
• He demonstrated professionalism during the meeting.
• Her professionalism impressed the hiring manager.

Professionalism in a sentence

Organization

Definition: A group of people working together for a purpose.

• The organization helps people in need.
• She volunteers for a charity organization.
• The organization focuses on education and health.

Organization in a sentence

Multitasking

Definition: The ability to manage multiple tasks at the same time.

• He is good at multitasking during busy hours.
• Multitasking can improve productivity in the workplace.
• She practiced multitasking while cooking and cleaning.

Multitasking in a sentence

Administrative

Definition: Related to managing and organizing tasks or operations.

• She works in an administrative role at the office.
• Administrative tasks include scheduling and filing.
• He has strong administrative skills.

Administrative in a sentence

Record

Definition: To capture or store information; a written account of something.

• I will record the lecture for later.
• They set a new record in the race.
• She likes to record her thoughts in a journal.

Record in a sentence

Follow-up

Definition: an action that comes after an initial action; checking on something

• She scheduled a follow-up appointment with the doctor.
• The teacher did a follow-up on the students’ progress.
• A follow-up email can help clarify any questions.

Procedure

Definition: a series of steps to accomplish a task

• Follow the procedure to complete the assignment.
• The procedure for the experiment was explained.
• He learned the procedure for making cookies.

Procedure in a sentence

Policy

Definition: A plan or course of action adopted by an organization.

• The school has a policy on bullying.
• Their policy helps protect the environment.
• She explained the new policy to the staff.

Policy in a sentence

Confidentiality

Definition: The state of keeping information secret or private.

• The company values the confidentiality of its clients.
• She signed an agreement to ensure confidentiality.
• Maintaining confidentiality is important in counseling.

Confidentiality in a sentence

Teamwork

Definition: The collaborative effort of a group to achieve a common goal.

• Teamwork is essential for successful projects.
• They emphasized the importance of teamwork in sports.
• Good teamwork improves group performance.

Teamwork in a sentence

Feedback

Definition: Information or comments about someone's performance or work.

• The teacher gave feedback on my essay.
• He appreciated the feedback from his peers.
• Constructive feedback helps improve skills.

Feedback in a sentence

Efficiency

Definition: The ability to do something with minimum waste of time and resources.

• They improved the efficiency of their study habits.
• Efficiency is key in completing tasks quickly.
• She values efficiency in her daily routine.

Efficiency in a sentence

Scheduling

Definition: The process of planning and organizing events, tasks, or activities.

• Scheduling classes helps students manage their time.
• He uses a planner for effective scheduling.
• Understanding scheduling improves organization skills.

Scheduling in a sentence

Customer Service

Definition: Support provided to customers before, during, and after purchasing products or services.

• Good customer service enhances customer satisfaction.
• They trained staff in effective customer service.
• He works in customer service and helps solve problems.

Inquiries

Definition: Questions or requests for information.

• The teacher welcomed inquiries from her students.
• She made several inquiries about the program.
• His inquiries helped clarify the situation.

Coordination

Definition: The organization of different elements to work together effectively.

• Good coordination is necessary for a successful event.
• They practiced for weeks to ensure coordination during the performance.
• Coordination among team members improves results.

Coordination in a sentence

Hospitality

Definition: The friendly and generous reception of guests or strangers.

• The hotel is known for its excellent hospitality.
• She has a career in the hospitality industry.
• Hospitality is important in many cultures.

Hospitality in a sentence

Protocol

Definition: A set of rules or procedures to be followed in certain situations.

• The protocol for the experiment was carefully followed.
• They established a protocol for handling emergencies.
• Understanding the protocol is important for safety.

Protocol in a sentence

Rapport

Definition: A positive and trusting relationship between people.

• Building rapport is important for effective communication.
• She established rapport with her students quickly.
• Understanding rapport enhances personal and professional interactions.

Rapport in a sentence

Service-oriented

Definition: Focused on providing services or addressing customer needs.

• The service-oriented approach prioritizes customer satisfaction.
• They adopted a service-oriented mindset in their business.
• Being service-oriented helps build strong relationships.

Task Management

Definition: The process of organizing and prioritizing tasks to improve efficiency.

• Effective task management helps complete projects on time.
• She uses task management tools to stay organized.
• Learning task management skills is essential for success.

Task Management in a sentence

Itinerary

Definition: A plan or schedule for a journey, listing places to visit.

• He wrote an itinerary for their vacation.
• The itinerary included visits to several museums.
• She checked the itinerary for the school trip.

Itinerary in a sentence

Liaison

Definition: A person who helps facilitate communication and cooperation between groups.

• She served as a liaison between the school and parents.
• The liaison organized meetings to discuss the project.
• He was chosen for the liaison role because of his communication skills.

Liaison in a sentence

Prioritization

Definition: the action of arranging items in order of importance

• Prioritization is key to effective time management.
• He learned about prioritization in his workshop.
• Her prioritization of tasks improved productivity.

Prioritization in a sentence

Interpersonal

Definition: related to interactions between people

• Strong interpersonal skills are important for teamwork.
• They focused on interpersonal relationships in their training.
• Interpersonal communication can improve workplace dynamics.

Interpersonal in a sentence

Organizational

Definition: related to the structure and management of an organization

• Organizational skills are important for effective leadership.
• He is studying organizational behavior for his degree.
• Good organizational practices can improve efficiency.

Organizational in a sentence

Presentation

Definition: A display of information or ideas, often given to an audience.

• I prepared a presentation for my science project.
• Her presentation on wildlife was informative.
• We will have a presentation in class next week.

Presentation in a sentence

Compliance

Definition: Following rules or standards.

• The company is in compliance with safety regulations.
• They ensured compliance with the new laws.
• She checked for compliance with the guidelines.

Compliance in a sentence

Telecommunication

Definition: The transmission of information over distances through electronic means, like phones and internet.

• Telecommunication has transformed how we communicate.
• He works in telecommunication and helps improve network services.
• Understanding telecommunication is crucial in the digital age.

Telecommunication in a sentence

Transcription

Definition: The process of converting spoken or written content into written text.

• Transcription of the interview took several hours.
• She is working on the transcription of the lecture.
• The transcription of the meeting will be shared later.

Transcription in a sentence

Negotiation

Definition: A discussion aimed at reaching an agreement.

• The negotiation between the two companies took weeks.
• They entered into negotiation to settle the dispute.
• Successful negotiation requires good communication skills.

Negotiation in a sentence

Resourcefulness

Definition: The ability to find quick and clever ways to overcome difficulties.

• Her resourcefulness helped them solve the problem.
• Being resourcefulness is important in emergencies.
• He showed great resourcefulness when fixing the car.

Resourcefulness in a sentence

Adaptability

Definition: the ability to adjust to new conditions

• Adaptability is essential in a rapidly changing workplace.
• He demonstrated great adaptability during the project.
• Understanding adaptability promotes resilience.

Adaptability in a sentence