hierarchical menu
1
6.2
- 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
99
1.2
A list of commands on a computer screen that you can choose
1
2.4
A list of options on the screen you click to do tasks
1
5.1
A small menu that appears beside a main menu when you hover to show more choices
How Hierarchical
- Specialized
1
5.1
- Specialized
1
6.2
- Specialized
5
3.2
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.