Words / B1

uh-FISHL/əˈfɪʃl/

Official means done by people in authority: the official result, an official statement, official documents. Formal is about style and manners; unofficial / informal are opposites in different ways. An official as a noun is a person in a public job. Officially is the adverb. Officious (too keen to give orders) is a trap word at higher levels.

Meaning

Done by a person or group in authority.

Examples

• “The official result comes tomorrow.”
• “Wait for the official announcement before you celebrate.”
• “Only official visitors may use this entrance.”

Good to know

official result / statement / documents. Adverb: officially. Style word: formal. Person: an official.

Near in meaning

formal

New