Office — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈä-fəs/ of·fice

Meaning & Definition of Office

Office (noun)

  1. a place where a particular kind of business is transacted or a service is supplied
  2. a place in which the functions of a public officer are performed
  3. the directing headquarters of an enterprise or organization

Office (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a large unit of a governmental, business, or educational organization

    "the company's main office is in Atlanta"

    similar: agency, arm, branch, bureau, department, desk, division, service
    related: subdepartment, subdivision

  2. something one must do because of prior agreement

    "one of the chief offices of a friend is to be there in someone's hour of need"

    similar: burden, charge, commitment, devoir, do (archaic), duty, imperative, incumbency, need, obligation, responsibility
    related: oath, pledge, promise, troth, vow, word, arrangement, prearrangement, setup, compact, contract, covenant, pact, trust, debt, payment, tribute, compulsion, constraint, restraint, must, requirement, coercion, duress, force, appointment, engagement, reservation, onus
    near: grace, postponement, stay, discharge, ease, exemption, release, relief, waiver, loophole, alternative, choice, option, pick, preference, selection

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Office

The most common words with a similar meaning to Office:

Archaic: do
agency, arm, branch, bureau, department, desk, division, service, burden, charge, commitment, devoir, duty, imperative, incumbency, need, obligation, responsibility

Related Words for Office

subdepartment, subdivision, oath, pledge, promise, troth, vow, word, arrangement, prearrangement, setup, compact, contract, covenant, pact, trust, debt, payment, tribute, compulsion, constraint, restraint, must, requirement, coercion, duress, force, appointment, engagement, reservation

Near Antonyms of Office

grace, postponement, stay, discharge, ease, exemption, release, relief, waiver, loophole, alternative, choice, option, pick, preference, selection

Origin & Etymology of Office

Middle English, "position of authority, duties of a position, proper function, ecclesiastical service, space used for business or domestic functions," borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin officium "beneficial act in fulfillment of an obligation, duty, functions in a position, post" (Late Latin, "ecclesiastical service"), contraction of opificium (attested in sense "constructive work"), from opi- (base of opis, *ops "power, ability" and oper-, opus "work, effort") + facere "to make, do, bring about" + -ium, deverbal suffix of function or state opus, do:1

First known use: 13th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Office

Words & Phrases Containing Office

office boy, office party, office supply, office girl, office hours, office park, office politics, back-office, booking office

Frequently Asked Questions about Office

What does "Office" mean?

"Office" means a place where a particular kind of business is transacted or a service is supplied. As a noun, it is defined as: a place where a particular kind of business is transacted or a service is supplied. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Office"?

Other words for "Office" include agency, arm, branch, bureau, department, desk, division and service. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Office" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Office"?

There are 50 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Office". Common alternatives include agency, arm, branch, bureau, department, desk, division, service, burden and charge.

How do you use "Office" in a sentence?

Examples of "Office" in a sentence: "the company's main office is in Atlanta"; "one of the chief offices of a friend is to be there in someone's hour of need".

Is "Office" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Office" is a noun.

Is "Office" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A1-level word, "Office" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.

How do you pronounce "Office"?

"Office" is pronounced /ˈä-fəs/ and divided into syllables as of·fice.

What is the origin of the word "Office"?

"Office" comes from Middle English, "position of authority, duties of a position, proper function, ecclesiastical service, space used for business or domestic functions," borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin officium "beneficial act in fulfillment of an obligation, duty, functions in a position, post" (Late Latin, "ecclesiastical service"), contraction of opificium (attested in sense "constructive work"), from opi- (base of opis, *ops "power, ability" and oper-, opus "work, effort") + facere "to make, do, bring about" + -ium, deverbal suffix of function or state opus, do:1. First known use: 13th century.