Master confusing words with ease
Official vs. Officious
Official
/əˈfɪʃl/Examples:
All these city and State officials speculated.That eighth draft is given in full in the official Life.The official pointed to a house a little distance away.
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Antonyms:
Officious
/əˈfɪʃəs/Examples:
The officious neighbor offered unsolicited gardening advice.Her officious demeanor often irked her more reserved colleagues.He was being officious, peeking over her shoulder at her work.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Ways to tell them apart:
- Official relates to something authorized or recognized formally, while officious describes someone who is overly eager to offer unwanted help or advice.
- Remember that official often implies something formal and officious tends to involve annoying interference.
- Official shares its root with officiating, whereas officious resembles someone causing officious meddling.
- A government document is an official document - think formality; a busybodys advice is often officious'.
- Visualize an official badge for formality and officious for an interfering gesture.
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