Official

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ɪʃəl

Origin

From Old French official, from Latin officium ("duty, service").

Full definition of official

Adjective

1. Of or pertaining to an office or public trust.official duties
2. Derived from the proper office or officer, or from the proper authority; made or communicated by virtue of authorityan official statement or report
3. Approved by authority; authorized.
4. sanctioned by the pharmacopoeia; appointed to be used in medicine; officinalan official drug or preparation
5. Discharging an office or function.
• Sir Thomas Brownethe stomach and other parts official unto nutrition
6. Relating to an office; especially, to a subordinate executive officer or attendant.
7. Relating to an ecclesiastical judge appointed by a bishop, chapter, archdeacon, etc., with charge of the spiritual jurisdiction.

Antonyms

• unofficial

Related terms

• office
• officer
• officiate
• officiality

Noun

1. An office holder invested with powers and authorities.
   David Barnes was the official charged with the running of the sports club.
• 2014-03-15, Turn it off, If the takeover is approved, Comcast would control 20 of the top 25 cable markets, …. Antitrust officials will need to consider Comcast’s status as a monopsony (a buyer with disproportionate power), when it comes to negotiations with programmers, whose channels it pays to carry.
2. A person responsible for applying the rules of a game or sport in a competition.
   In most soccer games there are three officials: the referee and two linesmen.

Hyponyms

Derived terms

• fourth official