I. əˈfishəl, ōˈf- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin officialis, from Late Latin, adjective
1. or official principal : a person appointed (as by an archbishop, bishop, dean, chapter, archdeacon) to exercise jurisdiction in an ecclesiastical court
2.
a. : one who holds or is invested with an office : officer
government officials
b. : a person authorized to act for a government, corporation, organization, or for another person especially in administering or directing in a subordinate capacity
officials of a sports contest
railroad officials
3. : official stamp
II. adjective
Etymology: Late Latin officialis, from Latin officium duty, office + -alis -al — more at office
1. obsolete : performing a function or service
2. : belonging or relating to an office, position, or trust : connected with holding an office
official duties
official routine
3. : holding an office or serving in a public position : authorized to perform a service
official messenger
president's official representative
4.
a. : derived from the proper office or officer or authority : made or communicated by virtue of authority : authorized , authoritative
official statement
official biography
b. : prescribed or recognized as authorized
official ballot
official language of a region
official architecture
official record for the mile
specifically : described by the United States Pharmacopeia or the National Formulary
official species of a plant genus
5. : befitting or characteristic of a person in office or acting in his capacity of an officer : formal
was extended an official greeting
official condolences
faults to which official writing is especially prone — Ernest Gowers
6. : serving in a legislature of a British dependency by virtue of nomination by the governor from the public service of the colony — compare unofficial 1c