officer

AW-fi-sur/ˈɔ.fɪ.sɚ/UKOF-i-suh/ˈɒf.ɪ.sə/

6 meanings of officer

1
person of ranknouncountable
A person with an important job and some power in a group such as the army, the police or a company.
Like a team captain who tells the players what to do.
The officer gave clear orders to her team.
Several officers met to plan the rescue.
UsageOften said as police officer, customs officer and so on.
2
nouncountable
A person who works as a member of the police.
An officer came to our house after someone broke in.
Two officers stopped the car and asked to see the driver's license.
UsageNews reports often just say officers for the police: officers arrived.
Similarpoliceman, policewoman
Note
3
form of addressnoun
A polite way to address an officer, especially a police officer.
Like saying "sir" or "ma'am" to be polite.
Excuse me, officer, can you help me find this street?
Thank you, officer, for staying with us until help arrived.
UsageSay excuse me, officer to talk politely to a police officer.
4
nouncountable
A person trusted to do a job and to make some choices on their own.
Like a babysitter who can decide small things while the parents are away.
The company gave each officer the freedom to make small decisions.
As an officer of the trust, she could act without asking first.
Similaragent

Less common meanings

5
verbtransitive
To lead or control people the way an officer does.
The regular battalions of the regiment, though officered mainly by Anglo-Welshmen of county families, did not normally contain more than about one Welshman in fifty in the ranks.
1929, Robert Graves, Good-Bye to All That
[A]t least a quarter of those who fought and died in the Great War were prosperous with spacious homes, and to this class belonged nearly all who had ordered and officered the carnage.
1992, Alasdair Gray, Poor Things
Similarcommand, lead, direct
Note
6
verbtransitive
To give a group, unit, or ship the officers it needs.
Like giving each new team a coach to lead it.
The army worked hard to officer every new unit.
The new army unit was officered by leaders who had already seen battle.
Similarstaff, man

Practice

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Origin

From Latin officium meaning "office," which came into English through Old French and Anglo-Norman.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

Officer ultimately derives from Latin officium, meaning "office". en.wiktionary.org
Officer came into English through Old French and Anglo-Norman. en.wiktionary.org