B1adjective formal 1K

Official

🇬🇧 UK /["/əˈfɪʃl/"]/ 🇺🇸 US /["/əˈfɪʃl/"]/

Meaning of Official

agreed to, said, done, etc. by somebody who is in a position of authority

In simple words: Something that is formal or authorized.

Official in a sentence

• The official statement clarified the company's position on the matter.
• We need to wait for the official approval before proceeding with the project.
• She was appointed as the official representative for the event.
• The unofficial report suggested a different outcome.
• He received an official letter confirming his appointment.
• The official records show that the event took place in 2021.
• During the meeting, an unofficial discussion arose among the participants.
• Her post on social media was not great as an official announcement.

How to use Official

Use 'official' for formal documents, statements, or events. It's not suitable for casual situations. Be cautious using it in informal speech.

Grammar pattern

standalone adjective

Memory hint

Think of an 'officer' in a uniform, they represent something 'official'.

Related words

Collocations with Official

• official statement
• official documents
• official capacity
• official events
• official language

Synonyms for Official

• authorized
• formal
• legitimate
• sanctioned
• certified

Opposites of Official

• unofficial
• informal

Common mistakes with Official

• Confused with 'officious' which means being overly eager to help.
• Using 'official' in a casual context rather than in formal situations.
• Mistakenly spelling it as 'offical'.

Frequently asked questions about Official

What does Official mean?

Something that is formal or authorized.

What is the definition of Official?

agreed to, said, done, etc. by somebody who is in a position of authority

How do you use Official in a sentence?

The official statement clarified the company's position on the matter.

Can you give another example of Official?

We need to wait for the official approval before proceeding with the project.

What are synonyms for Official?

Common alternatives include authorized, formal, legitimate, sanctioned, certified.

What is the opposite of Official?

Opposite meanings include unofficial, informal.

What words go with Official?

It commonly pairs with official statement, official documents, official capacity, official events, official language.

What are common mistakes when using Official?

Confused with 'officious' which means being overly eager to help. Using 'official' in a casual context rather than in formal situations. Mistakenly spelling it as 'offical'.

How do you pronounce Official?

US: /["/əˈfɪʃl/"]/, UK: /["/əˈfɪʃl/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.

Is Official formal or informal?

"Official" is formal, so it fits professional, business, or academic conversations.

When should I use Official?

Use 'official' for formal documents, statements, or events. It's not suitable for casual situations. Be cautious using it in informal speech.

What CEFR level is Official?

"Official" is at B1 level on the CEFR scale.