# official

Pronunciation: say "uh-FISH-uhl" /əˈfɪʃəl/

## Adjective

1. Coming from, or approved or authorized by, the proper authority or those in power.
   - Simple: Made, approved or allowed by the people in charge, such as a government or company.
   - _Fans were told to buy merchandise only from official sellers._
   - _The soda company became the official sponsor of this year's city marathon._
3. Recognized by authorities as the truth or canon, even when it is doubtful.
   - Simple: Said to be true by those in charge, even when it may not be.
   - _The government's official version of events differed from eyewitness reports._
   - _Historians still dispute the official story of how the war began._
4. Relating to a public office or a position of public trust.
   - Simple: Having to do with a job or duty given by the public or government.
   - _She kept her official duties separate from her private life._
   - _The governor's official residence is open for public tours every spring._
6. Definitely true or real; beyond any doubt. *(colloquial)*
   - Simple: Really true, with no doubt at all.
   - _I've watched every episode twice now, so it's official: I'm hooked on this show._
   - _The breakup is official now; she changed her status online._

## Noun

2. A person who holds a position of authority in a government, sport, or other organization.
   - Simple: A person whose job is to manage or make decisions for a group, government, or sports game.
   - _Government officials met to discuss the new budget._
   - _An official from the league explained the rule change._

## Adjective

5. Carrying out the duties of an office or function. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: Doing the work of a job or role.

## Other meanings

- (adjective) Listed in a national pharmacopeia as a recognized drug or preparation.
- (adjective) In church law, a judge appointed by a bishop or other church authority to hear cases in a church court.

## Origin

Latin officiālis, built on officium ("duty, service"), passed through Old French official into Middle English official. Read by surface analysis, the word is office + -ial.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/official (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).