SINECURE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does sinecure mean? 

• SINECURE (noun)
  The noun SINECURE has 2 senses:

1. a benefice to which no spiritual or pastoral duties are attached

2. an office that involves minimal duties

  Familiarity information: SINECURE used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SINECURE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A benefice to which no spiritual or pastoral duties are attached

Classified under:

Nouns denoting possession and transfer of possession

Hypernyms ("sinecure" is a kind of...):

benefice; ecclesiastical benefice (an endowed church office giving income to its holder)

Sense 2

Meaning:

An office that involves minimal duties

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("sinecure" is a kind of...):

berth; billet; office; place; position; post; situation; spot (a job in an organization)

 Context examples 

That, perhaps, it was a little unjust, that all the great offices in this great office should be magnificent sinecures, while the unfortunate working-clerks in the cold dark room upstairs were the worst rewarded, and the least considered men, doing important services, in London.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)