hierarchical menu
- noun
- /ˌhaɪəˈrɑːkɪkəl ˈmɛnuː/
- Specialized
- When I hovered over the 'File' option, a hierarchical menu appeared, showing additional choices like 'New' and 'Open'.
Examples
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Nothing beats a hierarchical menu in terms of discoverability.
Blog text (15) -
The software features a hierarchical menu that organizes options into categories, making navigation easier.
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Users find the hierarchical menu helpful because it neatly displays submenus without overwhelming the main interface.
Synonyms
A list of commands on a computer screen that you can choose
A small menu that appears beside a main menu when you hover to show more choices
A list of options on the screen you click to do tasks
How Hierarchical
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly derivable from combining 'hierarchical' (structured in levels) with 'menu' (a list of commands): it denotes a menu organized into levels with submenus. This compositional pattern is transparent and common in software terminology and across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both words should understand it.
Etymology
The term hierarchical menu comes from the image of a menu with 'levels' like a tree: when you pick one item, smaller menus open under it like branches. That's why a hierarchical menu helps you reach the exact option you want step by step.