semiofficial

[ sem-ee-uh-fish-uhl, sem-ahy- ]

adjective

1. having some degree of official authority.

Other Words From

• semi·of·ficial·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of semiofficial¹

First recorded in 1800–10; semi- + official

Example Sentences

The “lab leak” theory — disputed then as now — challenged the semiofficial thesis that the virus had jumped from an infected animal to a human in a food market in Wuhan.

From Washington Post

The semiofficial Fars News Agency got its message out in an interview with Syrian parliamentarian Shehade Kamel.

From The Daily Beast

Unfortunately, the consequence was, that I did not understand a word that was said at dinner—a kind of semiofficial reception.

From Project Gutenberg

In all cases only those speeches are here presented which have received official or semiofficial sanction.

From Project Gutenberg

On this subject I have found a remarkable admission in a semiofficial article, published as recently as 1872.

From Project Gutenberg

It deals with the theory of socialism and is extensively quoted in the daily press as a semiofficial voice in domestic affairs.

From Project Gutenberg

The Kaiser had his "official" and his "semiofficial" organs.

From Project Gutenberg