I. of ‧ fi ‧ cial 1 S3 W1 /əˈfɪʃ ə l/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ office , ↑ officer , ↑ official , ↑ officialdom , ↑ officialese , ↑ officiousness ; adverb : ↑ officially ≠ ↑ unofficially , ↑ officiously ; adjective : ↑ official ≠ ↑ unofficial , ↑ officious ; verb : ↑ officiate ]
someone who is in a position of authority in an organization:
a government official
senior administration officials
II. official 2 S3 W2 BrE AmE adjective
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ office , ↑ officer , ↑ official , ↑ officialdom , ↑ officialese , ↑ officiousness ; adverb : ↑ officially ≠ ↑ unofficially , ↑ officiously ; adjective : ↑ official ≠ ↑ unofficial , ↑ officious ; verb : ↑ officiate ]
1 . approved of or done by someone in authority, especially the government:
an official investigation into the causes of the explosion
the official policy on education
official statistics about illegal drug use
You will have to get official permission first.
Finally the letter of appointment came, making it all official.
2 . relating to or done as part of an important job or position
an official visit/engagement etc
The President was leaving for a four-day official tour of Mexico.
the Queen’s performance of official duties
They dined in an official capacity with other European leaders.
the Lord Mayor’s official residence
3 . an official explanation, account etc is one that is given formally and publicly, but may not be true:
Many doubted the official version of events.
The official line (=what is said publicly by people in authority) was that the troops were there to protect the King.
4 . chosen to represent someone or an organization, or do something for them:
the company’s official logo
the official representative from the American administration
5 . an official event is a formal public event:
The official opening of the institute was in May.
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COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 2)
■ nouns
▪ an official visit/engagement etc (=one that relates to an important job or position)
The Prime Minister was on an official visit to China.
▪ somebody's official duties (=the things someone does as part of their job or position)
the royal family's official duties.
▪ an official residence (=a house someone is able to use as part of their important job)
the ambassador's official residence in London
▪ somebody's official capacity (=someone's official position or duty)
He spent Wednesday in Washington acting in his official capacity as Senate majority leader.