B2nounworksociety
US/ˈhaɪ.ər.ɑːr.ki/
UK/ˈhaɪ.ə.rɑː.ki/
a system that ranks people or things in levels from the highest to the lowest
In context
In a traditional company hierarchy, every manager reports to someone at the next level up.
Our startup has a loose hierarchy, so employees can speak directly to the CEO.
Some students say the education system reinforces social hierarchies instead of reducing them.
Words that go with hierarchy
adjective + noun
- social hierarchyLanguage can reflect the social hierarchy of a country.
- corporate hierarchyShe slowly moved up the corporate hierarchy.
- rigid hierarchyA rigid hierarchy discourages open communication between staff.
noun + preposition
- top of the hierarchyThe CEO sits at the top of the hierarchy.
verb + noun
- climb the hierarchyFew employees manage to climb the hierarchy quickly.
- challenge the hierarchyYoung workers are often willing to challenge the hierarchy.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
the hierachyCorrect: the hierarchy