official

noun

An office holder, a person holding an official position in government, sports, or other organization.

adjective

Approved by authority; authorized.

Of or about an office or public trust.

Derived from the proper office or officer, or the appropriate authority; made or communicated by authority

Discharging an office or function.

Relating to an office, especially a subordinate executive officer or attendant.

(Of a statement) Dubious but recognized by authorities as the truth or canon.

(informal) True, real, beyond doubt.

(pharmacology) Sanctioned by the pharmacopoeia; appointed to be used in medicine; officinal.

(pharmacology) Listed in a national pharmacopeia.

Relating to an ecclesiastical judge appointed by a bishop, chapter, archdeacon, etc., with charge of the spiritual jurisdiction.

Roots

faciofic- · Latin · make, do

Synonyms for official

functionaryn officiaryadj officiallyadv officeholdern officern prescribedadj bureaucratn authoritativeadj authorizedadj secretaryn

Synonyms & related words for official

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of official — including functionary, officiary, officially, officeholder, officer, prescribed. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to official

Explore words related to official — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include nonofficial, semiofficial, unofficial, gonfalonier, unofficially, officialdom, officialism, spokesperson. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for official

Common synonyms for official include functionary, officiary, officially, officeholder, officer, prescribed, bureaucrat, authoritative — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does official come from?

The word official breaks down into one root of Latin origin: the root fic-, from Latin facio (“make, do”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.