Oficial vs. Official — Which is Correct Spelling?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on March 21, 2024
"Oficial" is the incorrect spelling, while "Official" with two 'f's is correct, denoting something authoritative or formal.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Oficial or Official
How to spell Official?
Oficial
Incorrect Spelling
Official
Correct Spelling
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Key Differences
"Official" has a double 'f' like "office" furniture.
Think of "official" as being "full" of authority, hence the double 'f.'
Recall "office," which starts with "offi-," to remember "Official."
"Oficial" may look like how it's pronounced, but always ensure the second 'f.'
Use mnemonic: “An official office has two 'f's.”
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How Do You Spell Official Correctly?
Incorrect: His badge looked very suspicious, almost like it wasn't oficial.
Correct: His badge looked very suspicious, almost like it wasn't official.
Incorrect: She sent an email to the wrong adres because she used the old oficial guide.
Correct: She sent an email to the wrong address because she used the old official guide.
Incorrect: The document looked almost real, but it lacked an oficial seal.
Correct: The document looked almost real, but it lacked an official seal.
Incorrect: He claimed to have an oficial title, but it was all just a facade.
Correct: He claimed to have an official title, but it was all just a facade.
Incorrect: We waited for the oficial announcement, but it never came.
Correct: We waited for the official announcement, but it never came.
Official Definitions
"Official" refers to a person holding a public office or having a formal duty.
He met with a high-ranking official.
An official is someone who holds an office (function or mandate, regardless whether it carries an actual working space with it) in an organization or government and participates in the exercise of authority, (either their own or that of their superior and/or employer, public or legally private). An elected official is a person who is an official by virtue of an election.
"Official" pertains to actions or things characteristic of an authority or public body.
The official guidelines were released today.
"Official" describes something formally announced or sanctioned.
It's the official statement from the company.
"Official" also means an umpire or referee in sports.
The official made a controversial call during the game.
"Official" can signify a product or thing that is officially licensed or approved.
She bought the official merchandise of her favorite band.
Relating to an authority or public body and its activities and responsibilities
The prime minister's official engagements
A person holding public office or having official duties, especially as a representative of an organization or government department
A union official
Of or relating to an office or a post of authority
Official duties.
Authorized by a proper authority; authoritative
Official permission.
Holding office or serving in a public capacity
An official representative.
Characteristic of or befitting a person of authority; formal
An official banquet.
Authorized by or contained in the US Pharmacopoeia or National Formulary. Used of drugs.
One who holds an office or position, especially one who acts in a subordinate capacity for an institution such as a corporation or governmental agency.
(Sports) A referee or umpire.
Of or pertaining to an office or public trust.
Official duties
Derived from the proper office or officer, or from the proper authority; made or communicated by virtue of authority
An official statement or report
Approved by authority; authorized.
The Official Strategy Guide
(Of a statement) Dubious but recognized by authorities as truth and/or canon.
Despite these testimonies, "accidental asphyxiation" remains his official cause of death.
(pharmaceutical) Sanctioned by the pharmacopoeia; appointed to be used in medicine; officinal.
An official drug or preparation
Relating to an office; especially, to a subordinate executive officer or attendant.
Relating to an ecclesiastical judge appointed by a bishop, chapter, archdeacon, etc., with charge of the spiritual jurisdiction.
(slang) True, real, beyond doubt.
Well, it's official: you lost your mind!
(pharmacology) Listed in a national pharmacopeia.
An office holder, a person holding an official position in government, sports, or other organization.
Of or pertaining to an office or public trust; as, official duties, or routine.
That, in the official marks invested, youAnon do meet the senate.
Derived from the proper office or officer, or from the proper authority; made or communicated by virtue of authority; as, an official statement or report.
Approved by authority; sanctioned by the pharmacopœia; appointed to be used in medicine; as, an official drug or preparation. Cf. Officinal.
Discharging an office or function.
The stomach and other parts official unto nutrition.
One who holds an office; esp., a subordinate executive officer or attendant.
An ecclesiastical judge appointed by a bishop, chapter, archdeacon, etc., with charge of the spiritual jurisdiction.
A worker who holds or is invested with an office
Someone who administers the rules of a game or sport;
The golfer asked for an official who could give him a ruling
Having official authority or sanction;
Official permission
An official representative
Of or relating to an office;
Official privileges
Verified officially;
The election returns are now official
Conforming to set usage, procedure, or discipline;
In prescribed order
(of a church) given official status as a national or state institution
Official Meaning in a Sentence
She received an official letter from the mayor's office.
The official rules of the game were posted on the board.
The official language of the country is English.
The referee made an official call during the match.
They attended the official opening of the new library.
The official logo was displayed on all their products.
His official title is Director of Operations.
He is an official representative of the company.
The official report was released to the public.
They were granted official citizenship last year.
The official version of the software is now available.
She has an official role in the organization.
She wore her official uniform to the ceremony.
The official deadline is next Friday.
We need an official signature to complete the document.
Her official duties included greeting guests.
The official website has all the information you need.
The official portrait of the mayor hangs in the hallway.
The teacher gave us the official list of supplies.
The official seal was stamped on the document.
The official policy states that all employees must wear a badge.
The official statistics were quite surprising.
The tour guide showed us the official residence of the president.
The official ceremony was a grand affair.
He received official recognition for his work.
Official Idioms & Phrases
On an official note
Speaking formally or officially.
On an official note, the principal announced the new school policies.
Official capacity
Serving in one's formal role or position.
The mayor attended the event in her official capacity.
Hold official status
To be recognized or designated formally.
The document didn't hold official status until it was signed by the director.
Make it official
To formalize something; to confirm or announce something formally.
They decided to make their relationship official by announcing it at the party.
In an official capacity
Acting in one's formal role or position.
She will be speaking at the conference in an official capacity as CEO.
Under official investigation
Being formally examined or scrutinized.
The incident is under official investigation by the police department.
Under official scrutiny
Being closely examined or observed in a formal manner.
The program is under official scrutiny to ensure it meets regulatory standards.
Official channels
The proper or formal routes of communication.
He made sure his complaint went through official channels to be taken seriously.
Official business
Work or tasks that are part of one's formal duties or responsibilities.
The diplomat was in the country on official business.
Issue an official statement
To release a formal announcement.
The company will issue an official statement addressing the rumors.
For official purposes
For formal or authorized use.
This document is only to be used for official purposes.
By official decree
An order issued by someone in authority.
The curfew was lifted by official decree.
With official approval
Having formal or authorized sanction.
The project moved forward with official approval from the board.
To the official's dismay
To the disappointment or displeasure of someone in authority.
To the official's dismay, the project was delayed again.
Official correspondence
Formal communication, usually in written form.
All official correspondence must be kept on file for three years.
Obtain official endorsement
To receive formal support or backing.
The event obtained official endorsement from the city council.
Seek official permission
To formally request authorization.
You must seek official permission before altering the building's exterior.
Official protocol
The formal rules or procedures to be followed.
Following official protocol, the soldiers raised the flag at dawn.
Official proceedings
The formal actions taken or processes followed in official matters.
The official proceedings of the court were recorded.
Official mandate
A formal order or command.
The new regulations came with an official mandate from the government.
Common Curiosities
What is the root word of Official?
The root word is "office."
Which vowel is used before Official?
The vowel "a" as in "an official" when referring to a person.
Which conjunction is used with Official?
There's no specific conjunction exclusive to "official," it depends on the sentence.
Why is it called Official?
It's derived from the Latin word "officium," meaning duty or service, related to performing duties of an office or position.
Which preposition is used with Official?
"Of" as in "official of an organization."
What is the pronunciation of Official?
/əˈfɪʃ.əl/
What is the singular form of Official?
"Official."
What is the verb form of Official?
"Officialize" or "officiate."
Is Official a noun or adjective?
"Official" can be both a noun and an adjective.
What is the plural form of Official?
"Officials."
Which article is used with Official?
"An" before a singular noun (e.g., an official decision) and "the" for specific reference.
Is Official a countable noun?
Yes, e.g., "There were three officials at the meeting."
How many syllables are in Official?
Three.
What is a stressed syllable in Official?
The second syllable, "fi."
Is the Official term a metaphor?
Not inherently, but can be used metaphorically in some contexts.
Is the word Official is Gerund?
No.
What part of speech is Official?
It can be a noun or an adjective.
Is Official a vowel or consonant?
"Official" is a word made up of both vowels and consonants.
What is the opposite of Official?
Unofficial.
What is the second form of Official?
For the verb, "officialized" or "officiated."
Is Official a negative or positive word?
Neutral; its connotation depends on the context.
Is Official a collective noun?
No.
Is the word “Official” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
It can be either, depending on its use in a sentence.
How do we divide Official into syllables?
Of-fi-cial.
Which determiner is used with Official?
Depends on the context; can be "the," "an," "this," "that," etc.
What is the first form of Official?
Referring to the verb, it would be "officialize" or "officiate."
How is Official used in a sentence?
"She is an official representative of the government."
Is Official an adverb?
No, "officially" is the adverbial form.
Is Official an abstract noun?
No, it's concrete when referring to a person, but its adjective use can refer to abstract concepts.
Is the word Official is imperative?
No.
What is another term for Official?
Representative or authoritative.
What is the third form of Official?
For the verb, "officialized" or "officiated."
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
