Origin: Latin suffix -al
Official has 9 different meanings across 2 categories:
a worker who holds or is invested with an office
"The new official at the city hall greeted every visitor with a friendly smile."
someone who administers the rules of a game or sport
"the golfer asked for an official who could give him a ruling"
An office holder invested with powers and authorities.
"The new official arrived at the station to inspect the security protocols before making any changes."
In plain English: An official is a person who has been given special power to do a specific job for an organization or government.
"The official confirmed the new rules during the press conference."
Usage: Use "official" to refer to a person who holds a formal position or job within an organization, such as a government employee or corporate manager. Avoid using it for documents or messages unless you are specifically describing their status as formally authorized rather than just the content itself.
(of a church) given official status as a national or state institution
"After decades of lobbying, the Vatican finally recognized the local diocese as an official branch of the Catholic Church within the country."
Of or pertaining to an office or public trust.
"The official report confirmed that the funds were misused while in their care as public trustees."
In plain English: Official means something that is real and recognized by an authority rather than fake or made up.
"The official announced that the store would open early tomorrow."
Usage: Use "official" as an adjective to describe something authorized by a government or organization, such as an official document or an official statement. It indicates that the item carries formal authority rather than being personal or informal.
The word entered English via the Middle and Old French forms of official, which originally described someone who performed a duty or service. It derives from the Latin officiālis, built on the root for "duty" to denote an official acting in their capacity as such.