Official — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun adjective /ə-ˈfi-shəl/ of·fi·cial

Meaning & Definition of Official

Official (noun)

  1. one who holds or is invested with an office, officer
  2. one who administers the rules of a game or sport especially as a referee or umpire

Official (adjective)

  1. of or relating to an office, position, or trust
  2. holding an office, having authority
  3. authoritative, authorized

Official (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a person who holds a public office

    "some of our best public officials do their jobs quietly and are never in the news"

    similar: functionary, officeholder, officer, public servant
    related: bureaucrat, administrator, commissioner, director, executive, head, manager, regulator, superintendent, supervisor, chair, chairman, flunky, minion, underling, co-official

Official (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. ordered or allowed by those in authority

    "the official languages for those Olympic Games were French and English"

    similar: authorized, sanctioned
    related: lawful, legal, legit (slang), legitimate, licit, permissible, regulation, approved, endorsed, abetted, encouraged, promoted, suggested, supported, certified, licensed, authoritative, canonical, ex officio, semiofficial
    opposite: nonofficial, unauthorized, unofficial, unsanctioned
    near: illegal, illegitimate, illicit, impermissible, lawless, unlawful, wrongful, unapproved, unlicensed, verboten

Related Entry: Co-official (noun)

Co-official is a different word from Official. The synonyms below are for co-official, not for official.

  1. as in functionary, official

    similar: administrator, commissioner, director, executive, head, manager, regulator, superintendent, supervisor, functionary, officeholder, officer, official, public servant, flunky, minion, underling, chair, chairman, bureaucrat

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Official

The most common words with a similar meaning to Official:

functionary, officeholder, officer, public servant, authorized, sanctioned

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Official

Words with the opposite meaning of Official:

nonofficial, unauthorized, unofficial, unsanctioned

Related Words for Official

bureaucrat, administrator, commissioner, director, executive, head, manager, regulator, superintendent, supervisor, chair, chairman, flunky, minion, underling, co-official, lawful, legal, legit, legitimate, licit, permissible, regulation, approved, endorsed, abetted, encouraged, promoted, suggested, supported

Near Antonyms of Official

illegal, illegitimate, illicit, impermissible, lawless, unlawful, wrongful, unapproved, unlicensed, verboten

Word Forms of Official

Derived words: officially (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Official

Middle English, "person presiding over an ecclesiastical court, domestic retainer," borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Medieval Latin officiālis "person performing the duties of an office, head of an ecclesiastical court," going back to Latin, "attendant on a magistrate," derivative of officiālis "pertaining to fixed duties" official:2

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Official

Words & Phrases Containing Official

co-official

Frequently Asked Questions about Official

What does "Official" mean?

"Official" means one who holds or is invested with an office, officer. As an a noun and an adjective, it is defined as: one who holds or is invested with an office, officer. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Official"?

Other words for "Official" include functionary, officeholder, officer, public servant, authorized and sanctioned. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Official" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Official"?

There are 42 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Official". Common alternatives include functionary, officeholder, officer, public servant, authorized and sanctioned.

What is the opposite of "Official"?

Antonyms of "Official" include nonofficial, unauthorized, unofficial and unsanctioned. Near antonyms include illegal, illegitimate, illicit and impermissible.

How do you use "Official" in a sentence?

Examples of "Official" in a sentence: "some of our best public officials do their jobs quietly and are never in the news"; "the official languages for those Olympic Games were French and English".

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

"Official" can be used as a noun and an adjective, depending on the context.

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

As an A2-level word, "Official" is typical of Cambridge A2 Key (KET), PTE Academic 30–42, TOEIC Listening & Reading 225+.

How do you pronounce "Official"?

"Official" is pronounced /ə-ˈfi-shəl/ and divided into syllables as of·fi·cial.