Words / B2

OF-is-uh/ˈɒfɪsə/

An officer is a person with authority in the police, armed forces, or an organisation: a police officer; a returning officer. Official is the adjective or a civil-service noun (already in the dictionary); office is the building. Name the officer in the source, not “the authorities”. Mix-up: official / office. Do not call every employee an officer.

Meaning

A person with authority in the police, armed forces, or an organisation.

Examples

• “Name the police officer in the source, not a generic “the authorities”.”
• “The returning officer published the count, which is the elections sense.”

Good to know

a police / army / press officer; returning officer. Adjective twin: official. Building: office. News, citizenship, and history. A named role with authority.

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