The meaning of OFFICIAL is one who holds or is invested with an office : officer. How to use official in a sentence.

OFFICIAL definition: a person appointed or elected to an office or charged with certain duties. See examples of official used in a sentence.

An official language is one that is used by the government of a country when making its laws, in official documents, etc.:

Definition of official adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

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.

1. a person appointed or elected to an office or charged with certain duties. 2. of or pertaining to an office or position of duty, trust, or authority: official powers. 3. appointed, authorized, or approved by …

Dec 22, 2025 · official (comparative more official, superlative most official) Of or about an office or public trust.

of or relating to an office or to a position of duty, trust, or authority:[before a noun] official powers. appointed, authorized, recognized, or approved by a government or organization: an official flag.

If something is official, it's authorized and approved by somebody. If Gatorade is the official drink of the Olympics, somebody with authority has signed some papers and a deal has been made.

In a formal or ceremonious manner, often involving persons of authority. An official welcome to the city.