What is office? Pronunciation and usage in English

office means . Learn how to pronounce and use office through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of office

officenoun

/ˈɒfɪs/
Definition & pronunciation of office

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "office" in English. It's a tricky one for some! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and generally accepted pronunciation is:

  • /ˈɒfɪs/ (rhymes with "off-iss")

Let's break that down further:

  • ˈ: This symbol indicates primary stress. It means the syllable receives the most emphasis.
  • ɒ: This is the "off" sound. It's a short, rounded vowel sound – like the "a" in "cot" or "hot." It’s not quite like the "o" in "go."
  • f: As in "fun."
  • ɪ: This is a short “i” sound, like in “bit” or “sit.”
  • s: As in “sun.”

Here's a phonetic transcription (a more technical way to represent the sound): [ˈɒfɪs]

Tips for getting it right:

  • Don't say "uh-fish." That's a very common mistake.
  • Focus on the "off" sound: Really emphasize that rounded "ɒ" vowel.
  • Keep it short and clipped: It's not a drawn-out word.

Resources for Hearing it:

To help me tailor my explanation even further, could you tell me:

  • Where are you from? (Regional accents can influence pronunciation.)

Usage and examples with the word office in English

Let's break down how to use the word "office" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with multiple meanings! Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. A Physical Room or Building:

  • Most Common Meaning: This is the most frequent way "office" is used. It refers to a room or building where people work, especially in a business or organization.
    • Example: "I work in an office downtown."
    • Example: "The company has a large, modern office building."
    • Example: "Let's meet in your office."

2. A Person's Job or Position:

  • Meaning: This refers to a particular role or position within a company or organization. This is often used with a title.
    • Example: "He was the office manager." (Meaning: the manager of the office department)
    • Example: "She works in the sales office." (Meaning: She holds a position in the sales department)
    • Example: "I need to talk to the head office about this." (Meaning: I need to talk to the main headquarters)

3. A Department or Division:

  • Meaning: “Office” can also refer to a specific department within a larger organization.
    • Example: "The marketing office is responsible for advertising."
    • Example: “The finance office handles all the company’s accounting.”

4. Formal or Official:

  • Meaning: Sometimes “office” suggests something serious, official, or formal.
    • Example: "He’s acting in an unofficial office." (Meaning: temporarily fulfilling a role). This is less common than the other uses.
    • Example: “The office of the President” (Referring to the President's position and responsibilities – often used to denote authority).

Here's a table summarizing the different uses:

Meaning Example
Physical Room "My office is on the third floor."
Job/Position "She works in the office of customer service."
Department "The HR office handles employee paperwork."
Formal/Official “The office of the CEO”

Tips for Using "Office" Correctly:

  • Context is Key: Pay close attention to the surrounding words to understand which meaning is intended.
  • Titles: When a person’s job is being referenced, “office” is often paired with a title (e.g., "the marketing office manager").
  • Plural: The plural of “office” is “offices.” (e.g., “There are several offices in the building.”)

Could you give me a sentence where you'd like to use the word "office" so I can help you make sure it's used correctly? Or, do you want me to focus on a specific aspect of its usage (e.g., “office” as a job title, or “office” as a room)?

Synonyms for the word office

Idioms of the word office

through somebody’s good offices
(formal)with somebody’s help

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