official
Noun pluralofficials
Pluralofficials
- 1Made, approved or allowed by the people in charge, such as a government or company.
Like a permission slip: someone in charge has said yes.
This is the official app for buying train tickets.
The club has an official list of rules everyone must follow.
UsageDo not mix it up with officious (too bossy).
Oppositeunofficial, unauthorized
- 2A person whose job is to manage or make decisions for a group, government, or sports game.
Like a referee in a game: someone whose job is to make the calls.
A city official cut the ribbon at the opening.
The officials reviewed the play before making a call.
UsageCommon phrases include government officials, company officials and sports officials.
Similarofficer, representative, administrator
Note
- 3Said to be true by those in charge, even when it may not be.
Like a story everyone is told to believe, even if it does not add up.
The official account of the accident left many questions unanswered.
Nobody in town trusted the official story about the factory fire.
UsageSay the official story when you think it may not be the whole truth.
Oppositeunofficial
Note
- 4Having to do with a job or duty given by the public or government.
Like work emails compared with texts to friends: one is part of the job, the other is private.
He used the office car only for official business.
The trip was official, not personal.
UsageSay on official business for work done as part of a job.
Oppositeunofficial, private, personal
Note
Less common meanings
- 5Doing the work of a job or role.
the stomach and other parts official unto nutrition
1650, Thomas Browne, Pseudodoxia EpidemicaHere, official means doing the work of a role, like parts that handle digestion.Note
- 6Really true, with no doubt at all.
Like crossing the finish line, now there is no doubt you have won.
It's official: they're getting married next spring!
Now that the test came back, it's official: I'm allergic to peanuts.
UsageSay it's official as a joke when something is now clearly true.
Oppositeunconfirmed
Note
- 7Listed in a country's approved book of medicines.
- 8A judge chosen by a bishop to hear cases in a church court.
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origin
From Latin officium meaning "duty" or "service," it came into English through Old French. It can be analyzed as "office" plus "-ial."
Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts
- Official ultimately derives from Latin officium, meaning duty or service. en.wiktionary.org
- Official came into English through Old French. en.wiktionary.org
- Official can be analyzed as office plus -ial. en.wiktionary.org