executive assistant

Meaning

1. 1nouncountable

   A person employed to support a senior manager or executive, handling administrative tasks, schedules, and communication.

   Grammar: Countable noun; plural is 'executive assistants'. Often used with 'to' to show who they assist: executive assistant to the CEO.

   Patterns

   • executive assistant to someone
   • work as an executive assistant
   • hire an executive assistant

   She works as an executive assistant to the company's CEO.

   The executive assistant scheduled all the meetings and managed the director's calendar.

   He hired an executive assistant to help him handle the increasing workload.

Word forms

Common combinations

executive assistant to the CEO

As executive assistant to the CEO, she handled all his correspondence.

senior executive assistant

The senior executive assistant trained the new hires.

work as an executive assistant

He worked as an executive assistant for five years before becoming a manager.

executive assistant role

The executive assistant role requires excellent organizational skills.

Synonyms and how they differ

personal assistant

Similar role but often focuses more on personal tasks; 'executive assistant' usually implies supporting higher-level management.

administrative assistant

A broader term for someone doing office support; 'executive assistant' typically works at a more senior level.

secretary

An older term for similar work; 'executive assistant' is now preferred in business for its more professional tone.

Word family

executive noun

A senior manager or person with authority in an organization.

assistant noun

A person who helps someone else in their work.

assist verb

To help someone do something.

Commonly confused: executive assistant or executive?

Practice

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