Official means approved by the government or by someone in authority.
According to the official figures, over one thousand people died during the revolution.
An official announcement is expected in the next few days.
A report in the official police newspaper gave no reason for the move.
Synonyms: authorized, approved, formal, sanctioned More Synonyms of official
officiallyadverb [oft ADV -ed, ADVERB after verb]
The election results have still not been officially announced.
The nine-year civil war is officially over.
2. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
Official activities are carried out by a person in authority as part of their job.
The President is in Brazil for an official two-day visit.
3. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
Official things are used by a person in authority as part of their job.
...the official residence of the Head of State.
4. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
If you describe someone's explanation or reason for something as the official explanation, you are suggesting that it is probably not true, but is used because the real explanation is embarrassing.
The official explanation for the cancellation is that there are no premises available.
The official reason given for the President's absence was sickness.
officiallyadverb
Officially, the guard was to protect us. In fact, they were there to report on ourmovements.
5. countable noun [oft noun NOUN]
An official is a person who holds a position of authority in an organization.
A senior U.N. official hopes to visit Baghdad this month.
6. countable noun
An official at a sports event is a referee, umpire, or other person who checks that the players follow the rules.
More Synonyms of official
official in British English
(əˈfɪʃəl)
adjective
1.
of or relating to an office, its administration, or its duration
2.
sanctioned by, recognized by, or derived from authority
an official statement
3.
appointed by authority, esp for some special duty
4.
having a formal ceremonial character
an official dinner
noun
5.
a person who holds a position in an organization, government department, etc, esp a subordinate position
Official in British English
(əˈfɪʃəl)
adjective
1.
of or relating to one of the two factions of the IRA and Sinn Féin, created by a split in 1969. The Official movement subsequently renounced terrorism and entered constitutional politics in the Irish Republic as the Workers' Party (now the Democratic Left)
noun
2.
a member of the Official IRA and Sinn Féin
Compare Provisional
official in American English
(əˈfɪʃəl; oʊˈfɪʃəl)
adjective
1.
of or holding an office, or position of authority
2.
by, from, or with the proper authority; authorized or authoritative
an official request
3.
in a formal or ceremonious manner, often involving persons of authority
an official welcome to the city
4.
formally set or prescribed
the official date of publication
5. Medicine and Pharmacy
contained in the current pharmacopeia; authorized for use in medicine
noun
6.
a person holding office, esp. public office
7. Sport
one who supervises an athletic contest, as a referee, umpire, etc.
Derived forms
officially (ofˈficially)
adverb
Word origin
OFr < LL officialis
Examples of 'official' in a sentence
official
The match referee is the official in overall charge of games and disciplinary issues.
The Sun (2016)
Some council officials will be fighting for their jobs.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Treasury officials are said to be crystal clear on this.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
And that ref chiefs tell officials to say they have not seen incidents so that retrospective action can then be applied.
The Sun (2016)
One farmer had 46 visits from officials this year to see bats and trees.
The Sun (2016)
An official announcement of their plans is expected to follow early in the New Year.
The Sun (2016)
G4S declined to comment before an official announcement.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Other recruits included referees and football officials.
The Sun (2014)
The heir to the throne and his wife have an official residence in the capital.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Others felt overwhelmed by financial reports and official proceedings.
Christianity Today (2000)
Officials have their part to play in both these duties.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Negotiations between the council officials and the builders had continued for some time on this basis.
Brindley,Tim & Rydin, Yvonne & Stoker, Gerry Remaking Planning: the politics of urban change in the Thatcher years (1989)
Treasury officials are expecting to spend next month in negotiation with departments.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It may also be easier to move officials between departments and projects without a formal application process.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
We are talking about our official position and it is normal.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
They would hold senior officials to account.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
An official announcement is expected in the next week or two.
The Sun (2011)
But sometimes referees and officials deserve criticism and what are you supposed to say?
The Sun (2008)
Government officials are working with police to make sure motorists do not wear them while driving.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
American and British officials both insist that the deterrent is independent.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He lives in the official residence, so he must move.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
In other languages
official
British English: official /əˈfɪʃəl/ ADJECTIVE
Something that is official is approved by the government or by someone else in authority.
...the official unemployment figures.
American English: official
Arabic: رَسْمِيٌّ
Brazilian Portuguese: oficial
Chinese: 官方的
Croatian: službeni
Czech: oficiální
Danish: officiel
Dutch: officieel
European Spanish: oficial
Finnish: virallinen
French: officiel
German: offiziell
Greek: επίσημος
Italian: ufficiale
Japanese: 職務上の
Korean: 직무상의
Norwegian: offisiell
Polish: urzędowy
European Portuguese: oficial
Romanian: oficial
Russian: официальный
Latin American Spanish: oficial
Swedish: officiell
Thai: อย่างเป็นทางการ
Turkish: yetkili
Ukrainian: офіційний
Vietnamese: chính thức
Chinese translation of 'official'
official
(əˈfɪʃl)
adj
(= approved) 官方的 (guānfāng de)
⇒ the official unemployment figures官方的失业统计数据 (guānfāng de shīyè tǒngjì shùjù)