officially
Britishadverb
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in a formal or authoritative manner
the Queen officially opened the dome
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in a way that is formally acknowledged but is not necessarily the case
officially on the dole but actually holding a job
Explanation
If something's done officially, it's done formally, often with the backing of some kind of authority, like a government. You might be elected president in November, but you won't officially take office until January of the following year. The adverb officially can describe something that's done publicly in an official and formal way. A company's CEO may officially resign after speculation about money laundering became public. An advertising campaign might officially launch with a Super Bowl ad. Officially can also describe something authorized by a government or other organization with authority. The government may officially announce that unemployment has decreased in the last six months.
Vocabulary lists containing officially
Lesson 5
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Excerpt from "Kira-Kira"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Moon helps point the way to a celestial teapot, Venus becomes exceptionally bright, the seasons officially turn, and the Harvest Moon appears with two planetary companions.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 3, 2026
Away from politics, the Daily Star writes that 2026 was officially Britain's "hottest summer ever", warning that after "five heatwaves" a "sixth" is on the way.
From BBC ● Sep. 2, 2026
Only 29-year-old, 11-time Olympic medalist Simone Biles has not officially closed the door on her retirement.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2026
Tesla officially debuted the Cybercab in October 2024 as a gold-colored two-seater autonomous vehicle.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 2, 2026
The Witchlings broke through the lagoon to the other side, and they were officially out of the Cursed Forest.
From "Witchlings" by Claribel A. Ortega
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
