Etimology
From Middle English official, from Old French official, from Latin officiālis, from Latin officium (“duty, service”), by surface analysis, office + -ial.
adjective
official (comparative more official, superlative most official)
Of or pertaining to an office or public trust.
Derived from the proper office or officer, or from the proper authority; made or communicated by virtue of authority
Approved by authority; authorized.
(pharmaceutical) Sanctioned by the pharmacopoeia; appointed to be used in medicine; officinal.
Discharging an office or function.
Relating to an office; especially, to a subordinate executive officer or attendant.
Relating to an ecclesiastical judge appointed by a bishop, chapter, archdeacon, etc., with charge of the spiritual jurisdiction.
(informal) True, real, beyond doubt.
(pharmacology) Listed in a national pharmacopeia.
Examples
official duties
an official statement or report
The Official Strategy Guide
Despite these testimonies, "accidental asphyxiation" remains his official cause of death.
an official drug or preparation
the stomach and other parts official unto nutrition
Well, it's official: you lost your mind!
Related words
antonyms
unofficial
related terms
office
officer
officiate
noun
official (plural officials)
An office holder, a person holding an official position in government, sports, or other organization.
Examples
Officials in the Firefly administration assure the Sylvanians they don't want war either.
In most soccer games, there are three officials: the referee and two linesmen.
The company's officials became nabobs as it took on more and more power after Plassey.
...officials with their prehensile bottoms...
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 , when it comes to negotiations with programmers, whose channels it pays to carry.
Related words
synonyms
See Thesaurus:official