Ambtenaar (government official), by louis dusée, utrecht, 1961 an official is someone who holds an office (function or mandate, regardless of whether it carries an actual working space … How to use official in a sentence. Appointed, authorized, or … See examples of official used in a sentence. An official language is one that is used by the government of a country when making its laws, in official documents, etc. : Of or pertaining to an office or position of duty, trust, or authority: The meaning of official is one who holds or is invested with an office : Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more. If something is official, its authorized and approved by somebody. Definition of official adjective in oxford advanced learners dictionary. A person appointed or elected to an office or charged with certain duties. If gatorade is the official drink of the olympics, somebody with authority has signed some papers and a deal has been made.