noun
official
A person holding a position of authority in a government or organization.
An official checks the visitors' documents.
Etymology
The Latin ancestor concerns duty or office. The noun identifies a person entrusted with an office and the authority that comes with it.
More examples
- Several officials attended the hearing.
- The election official answered questions.
- She became a senior official in the organization.
Forms
official · officials
Similar words
- officer
- Someone holding a defined position of authority.
- administrator
- Someone managing operations or procedures.