official

Approved or issued by a government or another organization with authority.

• You need an official document.
• The club made an official announcement yesterday.
• Is this the company’s official website?

Similar words: authorized, approved

Opposites: unofficial

Common phrases: official document, official statement, official approval

Connected with someone’s job or duties in a government or organization.

• He was away on official business.
• Her official duties include attending council meetings.
• The president made an official visit to the hospital.

How to use it: in an official capacity (She attended the meeting in an official capacity.)

Similar words: professional, administrative

Opposites: private

Common phrases: official duties, official business, official capacity

Accepted as true by authorities, even when people have reasons to doubt it.

• The official story leaves several questions unanswered.
• Many witnesses challenged the official account of the accident.
• The official cause of death remains disputed.

Similar words: authorized, accepted

Opposites: unofficial

Common phrases: official version, official explanation, official account

A person with a position of authority in a government, organization, or sport.

• A government official answered our questions.
• The officials checked everyone’s documents.
• A match official stopped the game.

Similar words: officer, officeholder

Common phrases: government official, senior official, match official