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Definitions

official

[uh-fish-uhl] / əˈfɪʃ əl /
ADJECTIVE
authorized, legitimate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
authoritative conclusive definite fitting formal precise proper valid
STRONG
cathedral okay positive real true
WEAK
accredited approved authentic authenticated bona fide canonical ceremonious certified cleared correct customary decided decisive endorsed established ex cathedra ex officio legitimate licensed ordered orthodox recognized rightful sanctioned suitable
Antonyms
STRONGEST
imprecise improper incorrect indefinite inexact unacceptable unsuitable
STRONG
dishonest false invalid
WEAK
unauthorized unofficial unsanctioned
NOUN
person representing organization
Synonyms
STRONGEST
administrator agent bureaucrat civil servant commissioner director executive leader manager minister officer representative secretary
STRONG
CEO President boss brains brass chancellor comptroller dignitary exec functionary governor higher-up incumbent magistrate marshal mayor officeholder panjandrum premier top treasurer
WEAK
big shot front office head person top brass top dog
Antonyms
STRONGEST
employee

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A Medicare official recently said that paying for care that isn’t clinically appropriate is “just not something we should accept as Americans.”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 22, 2026

“We never want to ship junk, right? We want to ship great products that have that Apple experience, have that Apple quality,” Ternus said in an interview last week before his official appointment.

From Barron's • Apr. 22, 2026

Mason had revealed he was undergoing treatment for a "serious heart condition" in 2024 and passed away peacefully on Sunday at home in Gardnerville, Nevada, a post on his official Instagram page said.

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026

Many of these funds have been flooded with redemption requests by investors looking to cash in their shares, often because they suspect the funds’ official net asset values are inflated.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

For hours the process continued as we were shuttled from one room and official to another, questioned, fingerprinted, sent on to the next post.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

Vocabulary lists containing official

Frindle

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Workshop 3, Part 1

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Early Civilizations of China, Lessons 4–6

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