Heirarchy vs. Hierarchy — What's the Difference?
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=40)
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Published on September 23, 2023
"Heirarchy" is an incorrect spelling, while "hierarchy" is the correct spelling. Hierarchy refers to a system of ranking or organization.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/images/heirarchy-vs-hierarchy-142045.webp)
Which is correct: Heirarchy or Hierarchy
How to spell Hierarchy?
![](https://www.askdifference.com/assets/images/incorrect.webp)
Heirarchy
Incorrect Spelling
![](https://www.askdifference.com/assets/images/correct.webp)
Hierarchy
Correct Spelling
Difference Between Heirarchy and Hierarchy
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
"Hierarchy" is spelled similarly to "monarchy," and both relate to a form of governance.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Sep 23, 2023
The middle "e" is omitted in the correct spelling; remember, hierarchies are all about excluding the middleman.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Sep 23, 2023
"Hierarchy" has the word "arch" in it, which you can associate with structure or organization.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Sep 23, 2023
To spell "hierarchy," start with "hi," as if you're greeting the leader of the hierarchy.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Sep 23, 2023
Think of the "ie" as standing for "in order," which is what a hierarchy is designed to establish.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Sep 23, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Definitions
Hierarchy
Hierarchy is the arrangement of elements or people in ascending or descending order.
The corporate hierarchy dictates the reporting structure.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Sep 14, 2023
Hierarchy
Hierarchy can also refer to the priests' governing body in some religions.
The ecclesiastical hierarchy governs the church.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Sep 14, 2023
Hierarchy
Hierarchy denotes a system where items or tasks are ranked based on importance.
Maslow's hierarchy of needs outlines human motivations.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Sep 14, 2023
Hierarchy
Hierarchy is an arrangement in a system where each part is subordinated to the one above it.
In a food hierarchy, predators eat herbivores.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Sep 14, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Hierarchy
Hierarchy can refer to the organization of heavenly bodies or beings.
In angelic hierarchy, archangels are above angels.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Sep 14, 2023
Hierarchy
A group of persons or things organized into successive ranks or grades with each level subordinate to the one above
A career spent moving up through the military hierarchy.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Sep 13, 2023
Hierarchy
Categorization or arrangement of a group of people or things into such ranks or grades
Classification by hierarchy.
Discounting the effects of hierarchy.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Sep 13, 2023
Hierarchy
A body of persons having authority
"his relations with Hitler and the Nazi hierarchy" (John Kenneth Galbraith).
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Sep 13, 2023
Hierarchy
A group of animals in which certain members or subgroups dominate or submit to others.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Sep 13, 2023
Hierarchy
One of three main divisions of angels in traditional Christian angelology.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Sep 13, 2023
Hierarchy
A social, religious, economic or political system or organization in which people or groups of people are ranked with some superior to others based on their status, authority or some other trait.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Sep 13, 2023
Hierarchy
Any group of objects ranked so that every one but the topmost is subordinate to a specified one above it.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Sep 13, 2023
Hierarchy
A body of officials disposed organically in ranks and orders each subordinate to the one above it; a body of ecclesiastical rulers.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Sep 13, 2023
Hierarchy
A form of government administered in the church by patriarchs, metropolitans, archbishops, bishops, and, in an inferior degree, by priests.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Sep 13, 2023
Hierarchy
A rank or order of holy beings.
Standards and gonfalons . . . for distinction serveOf hierarchies, of orders, and degrees.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Sep 13, 2023
Hierarchy
Any group of objects ranked so that every one but the topmost is subordinate to a specified one above it; also, the entire set of ordering relations between such objects. The ordering relation between each object and the one above is called a hierarchical relation.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Sep 13, 2023
Hierarchy
A series of ordered groupings of people or things within a system;
Put honesty first in her hierarchy of values
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Sep 13, 2023
Hierarchy
The organization of people at different ranks in an administrative body
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Sep 13, 2023
FAQs
What is the verb form of hierarchy?
The verb form could be "hierarchize," though it's rarely used.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Sep 23, 2023
Which vowel is used before hierarchy?
The article "a" is often used before "hierarchy."
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Sep 23, 2023
Why is it called hierarchy?
The term derives from the Greek words "hieros," meaning sacred, and "archos," meaning ruler.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Sep 23, 2023
What is the root word of hierarchy?
The root words are the Greek "hieros" and "archos."
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Sep 23, 2023
What is the singular form of hierarchy?
"Hierarchy" is already in its singular form.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Sep 23, 2023
Which preposition is used with hierarchy?
"In" is commonly used, as in "in the hierarchy."
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Sep 23, 2023
Which article is used with hierarchy?
"The" and "a" can be used, depending on the context.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Sep 23, 2023
Is hierarchy a countable noun?
It can be countable when talking about different types of hierarchies.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Sep 23, 2023
Which determiner is used with hierarchy?
"The" or "a" can be used, depending on the context.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Sep 23, 2023
What is the second form of hierarchy?
Hierarchy is a noun and does not have a second form.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Sep 23, 2023
What is the third form of hierarchy?
As a noun, hierarchy does not have a third form.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Sep 23, 2023
Which conjunction is used with hierarchy?
"And" is often used, such as "clergy and hierarchy."
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Sep 23, 2023
What is the stressed syllable in hierarchy?
The first syllable, "hi," is stressed.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Sep 23, 2023
Is hierarchy a negative or positive word?
It is a neutral word; the connotation depends on context.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Sep 23, 2023
How is hierarchy used in a sentence?
Example: The company's hierarchy was restructured to improve efficiency.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=32)
Fiza Rafique
Sep 23, 2023
Author Spotlight
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/364083f859b0c0321128971c30b9de40.webp?s=64)
Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content editor at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
![](https://www.askdifference.com/avatar/e71d67b1aba47c9e5bd8eb22e21c1ed5.webp?s=64)
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.