official
noun
of·fi·cial
| \ ə-ˈfi-shəl
, ō-\
, ō-\
Definition of official
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: one who holds or is invested (see invest entry 2 sense 1) with an office : officer
government officials A company official responded to our request.
2
: one who administers the rules of a game or sport especially as a referee or umpire
a football official
official
adjectiveDefinition of official (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: of or relating to an office, position, or trust
official duties official documents
2
: holding an office : having authority
the president's official representative
3a
: authoritative, authorized
official statement an official biography
b
: prescribed or recognized as authorized
an official language
c
: described by the U.S. Pharmacopeia or the National Formulary
The official drug is sold under several trade names.
4
: befitting or characteristic of a person in office
extended an official greeting official condolences
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Other Words from official
Adjective
officially
\ ə-ˈfi-sh(ə-)lē
, ō- \
adverb
, ō- \
adverb
Synonyms & Antonyms for official
Synonyms: Noun
functionary, officeholder, officer, public servant
Synonyms: Adjective
Antonyms: Adjective
nonofficial, unauthorized, unofficial, unsanctioned
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Examples of official in a Sentence
Noun
She interviewed a senior official from the previous administration. A company official responded to our request.Adjective
She was accused of destroying official documents. Her illness did not prevent her from performing her official duties. The Vice President is on an official trip. We extended an official greeting to the ambassador.
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Wisconsin health officials also said that patients reported using open-tank systems and devices with interchangeable cartridges. — Sheila Kaplan, BostonGlobe.com, "Dozens of young people sickened after vaping; physicians are stumped," 15 Aug. 2019 Measles was declared eliminated from the U.S. in 2000, and public health officials have debunked the claim that vaccinations lead to autism. — Time, "Conspiracy Theories Can Have Dangerous Consequences. Here’s Why Experts Say We Cannot Ignore Them," 15 Aug. 2019 Health officials advised people to minimize outdoor activities on Thursday, wear hats and sunscreen, and stay in the shade when possible. — Michael Cabanatuan, SFChronicle.com, "Bay Area braces for another ‘uncomfortably warm’ summer day," 15 Aug. 2019 An increase in hospitalizations among adolescents in Illinois may be linked to vaping, state health officials recently announced. — Fox News, "Vaping among Illinois teens possibly tied to increase in hospitalizations, health officials say," 14 Aug. 2019 At Ellis Island, arrivals who were inspected by public health officials and deemed unfit were returned to their country of origin. — Michael D. Shear, New York Times, "Trump’s Policy Could Alter the Face of the American Immigrant," 14 Aug. 2019 Health officials in Wisconsin have confirmed 12 cases and were investigating 13 more. — Mary Spicuzza, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "'I don't want somebody else's son to end up like this': Family of Burlington man hospitalized with lung injuries warns of vaping dangers," 14 Aug. 2019 Health officials are still investigating whether they are connected or definitely linked to vaping. — CBS News, "New warnings of link between lung disease in teens and e-cigarettes," 14 Aug. 2019 For the first time, preliminary clinical-trial results suggest that two experimental Ebola drugs can lower the death toll of the deadly virus, health officials announced Monday. — Beth Mole, Ars Technica, "Two Ebola drugs boost survival rates, according to early trial data," 13 Aug. 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective
Rupert Hogg became the highest-profile corporate casualty of official Chinese pressure on companies to support the ruling Communist Party's position. — CBS News, "Cathay Pacific CEO resigns after pressure from Beijing," 16 Aug. 2019 The mayor and council presented an official resolution recognizing his contributions to the city. — Catalina Righter, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "Westminster council OKs water policy amendment, bids fond farewell to planning director," 16 Aug. 2019 Although the council is expected to review the project Monday, Salim has asked to delay any official vote until Sept. 3 because some council members are expected to miss the upcoming meeting. — Priscella Vega, Daily Pilot, "Huntington Beach council to review previously denied Ellis Avenue condo development," 16 Aug. 2019 The Brown County Music Center held a soft opening Thursday evening, a little more than a week before its official grand opening. — Domenica Bongiovanni, Indianapolis Star, "Here's what the new Brown County Music Center looks like and what to know about it," 15 Aug. 2019 As for Luber, he’s still employed at the CDC and holds his official title, according to PEER staff counsel Kevin Bell. — Maya Earls, Science | AAAS, "Climate expert at CDC poised to file whistleblower complaint over treatment," 14 Aug. 2019 As for Luber, he’s still employed at the CDC and holds his official title, according to PEER staff counsel Kevin Bell. — Scientific American, "Whistle-Blower Complaint Highlights CDC Turmoil on Climate," 14 Aug. 2019 The official poster for @lastchristmasthemovie ❤️ Tonight, get your first look at #LastChristmasMovie trailer on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. — Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, "Emilia Clarke and Henry Golding Are Our New Favorite Rom-Com Couple in Last Christmas," 14 Aug. 2019 But because this sort of power was not official, and barely visible, it could not be curbed or held to account. — Larissa Macfarquhar, The New Yorker, "The Radical Transformations of a Battered Women’s Shelter," 13 Aug. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'official.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for official
official
noun
English Language Learners Definition of official
(Entry 1 of 2)
: a person who has a position of authority in a company, organization, or government : a person who holds an office
: a person (such as a referee or umpire) who makes sure that players are following the rules of a game
official
adjectiveEnglish Language Learners Definition of official (Entry 2 of 2)
: of or relating to the job or w