official Hear it!

official Definition

of·fi·cial (ə fis̸h′əl, ō-)

adjective

  1. of or holding an office, or position of authority
  2. by, from, or with the proper authority; authorized or authoritative an official request
  3. in a formal or ceremonious manner, often involving persons of authority an official welcome to the city
  4. formally set or prescribed the official date of publication
  5. Med., Pharmacy contained in the current pharmacopeia; authorized for use in medicine

Etymology: OFr < LL officialis

noun

  1. a person holding office, esp. public office
  2. Sports one who supervises an athletic contest, as a referee, umpire, etc.

official Related Forms

of·fi′·cially adverb

official Synonyms

official

modif.

  1. Having to do with one's office

    formal, fitting, suitable, befitting, precise, established, ceremonious, according to precedent, according to protocol, proper, correct, accepted, recognized, customary; see also conventional 1, 2, 3, fit 1, 2.

    Antonyms informal*, unceremonious*, ill-fitting.

  2. Authorized

    ordered, endorsed, sanctioned; see approved.

  3. Reliable

    authoritative, authentic, trustworthy, true, unquestionable, indubitable, veritable, real, sure, absolute, canonical, positive, clear, unequivocal, unmistakable, decisive, conclusive, unimpeachable, valid, authenticated, credible, bona fide, accurate, faithful, standard, irrefutable, incontestable, verified, proven, indisputable, not to be questioned, definite, assured, decided, to be depended on, to be trusted, worthy of confidence, undeniable, guaranteed, insured; see also certain 3, genuine 1, reliable 2.

    Antonyms unreliable*, unauthentic, unverified.

official Synonyms

official

n.

  1. Administrator

    comptroller, director, executive; see administrator, leader 2.

  2. A sports official

    referee, umpire, judge, linesman, adjudicator, ref*, ump*, chain gang*; see also judge 2.

official Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • elect: They plant, maintain, and orchestrate coalitions of voters to exert pressure on elected officials.
  • say: It said officials should, have acted, sooner to rescue the girls.

Adjective modifier

  • senior: Imagine for a moment that you are a senior official in Iran's foreign ministry.
  • Iraqi: An Iraqi official said that the bomb was intended to create more chaos in Iraq.
  • Turkish: Turkish officials discussed the same day the re-opening of the Kurdish parliament in Iraq after a long time.
  • Israeli: For example, if you say to Israeli officials that you want to play in Palestine, they will say you can't.
  • un: UN officials aren't sure where the rest of Kosovo's ethnic Albanians have gone.
  • military: Both U.S. and Italian military officials as well as Italian government officials refused to release details of the mission.

Modifies a noun

  • receiver: The court will fix the amount on the official receiver 's advice.
  • opening: The venue's official opening will take place on Saturday 17 June.
  • website: The official website for Henley Royal is in action today.
  • statistic: Find some official statistics from the computer or from a book about who commits the most crime.
  • launch: Monday 2nd December sees the official launch of this new group to bring local people together to promote healthy hearts.
  • figure: To date the British Government, which is believed to know the extent of the arms importation has refused to release its official figures.

Noun used with modifier

  • immigration: In those days the British Immigration officials used to travel on the ferries from Calais to Dover.
  • administration: Administration officials said the effort was not intended to create an interim government or to settle the unresolved question of who would replace Hussein.
  • defense: But defense officials have voiced recent concern over a resurgence of attacks by al-Qaida and the Taleban.
  • union: They must be informed of their right to be accompanied by a fellow employe or representative, shop steward or trade union official.
  • government: Government officials said the trial will be the largest of its type in the world.
  • enforcement: The American Red Cross along with law enforcement officials strongly encourages you to follow the steps provided in the attached Fact Sheets.