noun · formal
bureaucracy
UK/ˌbjʊəˈrɒk.rə.si/US/ˌbjʊəˈrɑː.krə.si/bu·ROK·ra·cy
a system of government or organization that has many complicated rules and ways of doing things; also the officials who work in that system
Examples
“Excessive bureaucracy can delay important public projects.”
“He complained about the bureaucracy when applying for a permit.”
“Many businesses struggle with government bureaucracy and red tape.”
Band 8 sentence
“Reforming the bureaucracy to streamline procedures would significantly improve public service delivery.”
Collocations
- reduce bureaucracy
- bureaucratic procedures
- cut red tape
Word family
Common mistakes
There are many bureaucracies in the city hall.→There is a lot of bureaucracy in the city hall.
He is working on bureaucracy.→He is working in the bureaucracy. / He is dealing with bureaucracy.
Say it for a higher band
5administration→6red tape→7+bureaucracy
Synonyms
administration
Easily confused
administration
“The new administration promised tax cuts during its first year.”
Related words
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In Society & Government
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