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

    Practice with vocabulary office

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. Due to the increasing number of employees, the company decided to expand its primary ______ to include the adjacent suite.
    2. To address your concerns, you should speak directly with someone in the main administrative ______.
    3. Before leaving for the day, please ensure all confidential documents are cleared from your ______ and securely filed away.
    4. For all legal inquiries, please contact our dedicated legal ______, located on the third floor.

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

    1. Most of our daily administrative tasks are performed in our main downtown ______, which recently underwent a major renovation. A. studio B. office C. workshop D. laboratory
    2. The company's vice president holds a significant ______ within the executive structure, overseeing multiple divisions. A. chore B. task C. office D. duty
    3. Which of these terms could refer to a designated room or area where professional work is regularly conducted? A. studio B. office C. cubicle D. antechamber
    4. Many modern workplaces feature open-plan designs, but some employees still prefer their own private, individual ______ for focused work. A. lounge B. chamber C. cubicle D. auditorium
    5. The company decided to open a new ______ in Berlin to better serve its European client base, rather than just handling operations from its London headquarters. A. annex B. branch C. facility D. headquarters

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. The administrative staff recently moved into their new dedicated work area on the third floor. (Rewrite using "office")
    2. Sarah is responsible for managing the daily operations and supplies for the entire department. (Rewrite using a related word form of "office")
    3. The company's main place of business, where the CEO's executive suite is located, is in the city center. (Rewrite without using "office")

    Answer:

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. office
    2. office
    3. desk
    4. department

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

    1. B. office
    2. C. office
    3. B. office, C. cubicle
    4. C. cubicle
    5. B. branch

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. The administrative staff recently moved into their new office on the third floor.
    2. Sarah functions as the office manager, responsible for daily operations and supplies for the entire department.
    3. The company's main headquarters, where the CEO's executive suite is located, is in the city center.

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