officially

Everyday

1. Officially means in a way that is approved by people in charge, according to the rules or the law. tree →
2. Officially can mean in public, according to what has been announced, even if the truth may be different. tree →
3. (informal) Officially is used for fun to mean "really and truly", as in "I'm officially starving". tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life something becomes official when someone in charge says so: a school is officially opened, a record is officially broken. In news, "officially" contrasts with what really happens ("officially he resigned, but really he was pushed out"). Children use it jokily to make a big statement. Phrases: "officially opened", "officially announced", "officially, …", "it's official".

Examples

• The new library was officially opened by the mayor. tree →
• Summer is officially here — the pool is open! tree →
• Our team is officially the champion of the league. tree →
• Officially the shop closes at six, but they often stay open later. tree →
• The record was not officially counted because the wind was too strong. tree →
• (informal) I've eaten four pancakes, so I'm officially full. tree →
• She is now officially a teenager. tree →

Note

Adjective: official; noun: an official (a person with an important job). Spelled with double f and double l. In formal writing "officially" means by the proper authority; in casual speech it is often just an intensifier.