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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.

China’s crude-import quota for nonstate trade—a measure of how much the teapot sector can import—grew from 140 million metric tons in 2018 to 257 million metric tons this year, according to official Chinese data.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

Nepal's government has developed tough measures to stamp out insurance scams involving unnecessary helicopter rescues of trekkers, an official said Tuesday, a long-running racket threatening the country's vital tourism industry.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

Some investors speculate about forthcoming entrants ahead of the official announcement and buy up shares, on the expectation that they could rise if a company is named to the index.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

And in 2009 the entire senior team, apart from the coach and an official, failed to return home from Kenya.

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

At a Moscow party, an American embassy official slipped the passport to Penkovsky—he’d need it if it became necessary to make a sudden run for the border.

From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin