official
official Lexical Profile
official Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Authorized, approved, or issued by a government, organization, or person in a position of legitimate authority.
"The university will release the official examination schedule at the end of the week."
Relating to an office, post, or position of public duty, trust, and authority.
"The mayor attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony in an official capacity."
• noun
A person holding a public office or having administrative duties and authority within a government, institution, or organization.
"Senior health officials met this morning to review the updated hospital guidelines."
An impartial person appointed to administer the rules and judge play in a sporting contest, such as a referee or umpire.
"The ringside official stopped the match temporarily to check the athlete's equipment."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'official' (authorized, formal, or relating to an office of authority) with 'officious' (excessively eager to offer unwanted help or bossily meddlesome in trivial matters).
• Rhymes for official
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in Middle English via Old French from Late Latin 'officialis' ('of or belonging to duty, service, or office; an attendant to a magistrate'), derived from classical Latin 'officium' ('service, duty, or public office').