Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Showing results for official. Search instead for officina.
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.

The extent of the consultation was Trump calling Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel shortly before the cease-fire was announced, a White House official said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

According to an X post by journalist Barak Ravid of the news site Axios, citing a US official, the US carried out "strikes on military targets" on the island located off Iran's western coast.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

And technical changes have made the official calculations less predictable than they used to be.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

The Gambia has just ordered the immediate suspension of all non‑essential official travel by government officials, days after Senegal implemented a similar move.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

This envelope looked very formal and official, like an important notice.

From "Found" by Margaret Peterson Haddix