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Synonyms

ex officio

American  
[eks uh-fish-ee-oh] / ˈɛks əˈfɪʃ iˌoʊ /

adverb

  1. by virtue of office or official position.


ex officio British  
/ ˈɛks əˈfɪʃɪəʊ, əˈfɪsɪəʊ /

adverb

  1.  ex off.  by right of position or office

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of ex officio

Borrowed into English from Latin around 1525–35

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.

Treasury; the Treasury secretary and comptroller of the currency were ex officio members of its board, and the Treasury secretary presided over its meetings.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 27, 2025

Bar in 1873, she sent a letter to President Ulysses S. Grant, who was president ex officio of the National University Law School, to demand her sheepskin.

From Washington Times • Nov. 22, 2023

The Reserve Bank Board comprises nine members, with three ex officio members – the Governor, the Deputy Governor and the Secretary to the Treasury – and six non-executive members, who are appointed by the Treasurer.

From Reuters • Feb. 23, 2023

In addition, the center will welcome a new board of directors, composed of 13 community directors and ex officio positions, which will be held by leaders at Fred Hutch Cancer Center and UW Medicine.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 1, 2022

But no, he was ex officio an illiterate.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White

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