What is officially? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of officially

officiallyadverb

/əˈfɪʃəli/
Definition & pronunciation of officially

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

1. Syllable Breakdown:

  • Of-fi-ci-al-ly (Think of it as four distinct syllables)

2. Pronunciation Guide:

  • Of: Pronounced like "off" – as in, "off the table." (SOUND: /ɒf/)
  • Fi: Pronounced like "fee" – as in, "fee" for payment. (SOUND: /fiː/)
  • Ci: This is the tricky part! It's pronounced like "chee" – as in, "cheese." (SOUND: /tʃiː/) This is often where people stumble.
  • Al: Pronounced like "al" – like the beginning of "alphabet" or "always." (SOUND: /æl/)
  • Ly: Pronounced like "lee" – as in, "Lee" as a name. (SOUND: /liː/)

3. Combined Pronunciation:

Putting it all together, it sounds something like: “Off-fee-chee-al-lee”

4. Tips and Tricks:

  • Stress: The primary stress falls on the third syllable: “Of-fi-ci-al-ly” (emphasis on "ci").
  • Linking: You might naturally link the sounds a bit as you say it. It won't be perfectly choppy.
  • Listen to Examples: The very best way to learn is to hear it. Here are some resources:
    • Google Translate: Type "officially" in Google Translate and click the speaker icon.
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/officially/ – This website provides pronunciations by native speakers from different regions.
    • YouTube: Search for "how to pronounce officially" – you'll find lots of videos demonstrating the correct pronunciation.

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you more examples of words that use similar sounds?

Usage and examples with the word officially in English

Let's break down how to use the word "officially" in English. It's a versatile word that adds a layer of formality and certainty. Here's a breakdown of its uses, with examples:

1. To Indicate an Official Announcement or Declaration:

  • Meaning: This is the most common usage. "Officially" means that something has been declared or confirmed by an authoritative body, like a government, organization, or company.
  • Examples:
    • "The store will officially open its doors next Tuesday." (Meaning: The store has announced the opening date.)
    • "The president officially declared the end of the war." (Meaning: The President made a formal statement confirming the end.)
    • “The company officially released the new iPhone.” (Meaning: The company made a public announcement about the new phone.)

2. To Indicate an Official Status or Role:

  • Meaning: Used to describe someone’s position or status within an organization.
  • Examples:
    • "He is officially the CEO of the company." (Meaning: He holds the formal title of CEO.)
    • “She was officially appointed to the board.” (Meaning: She was formally given the position on the board.)
    • “He's officially a member of the club.” (Meaning: He has been given the official status of a member.)

3. To Describe an Action That Has Been Completed According to Official Rules or Procedures:

  • Meaning: This indicates that something happened following established rules or guidelines.
  • Examples:
    • “I was officially disqualified from the race due to a rule violation.” (Meaning: The disqualification was decided according to official rules.)
    • "The application was officially rejected because of missing documentation." (Meaning: The rejection followed the established process.)

4. To Add Emphasis or Certainty (Often Used with a Slight Tone of Skepticism):

  • Meaning: Occasionally, “officially” is used to add a little bit of doubt or to suggest that something isn't really what it seems. It’s often used when you suspect something is being presented in a way that might not be entirely truthful.
  • Examples:
    • “The politician says it's a new policy, but officially it's just a change in wording.” (Suggests the change isn’t really new).
    • “They officially said it was a minor accident, but I saw the damage.” (Implies that the official report might downplay the severity.)

Key Points and Tips:

  • Formal Tone: “Officially” always adds a formal tone to your sentence. It's not appropriate in casual conversation.
  • Followed by an Adjective or Noun: It's usually followed by an adjective describing a state or noun describing a position. (e.g., "officially appointed," "officially confirmed," "officially open").

Let's practice! Can you use "officially" in a sentence about:

  1. A new school policy?
  2. A job promotion?

Synonyms for the word officially

Practice with vocabulary officially

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The new policy will be ____ implemented next quarter, after all departments have reviewed the changes.
  2. Although the committee made a preliminary decision, the results won't be ____ announced until the board meeting next week.
  3. Candidates are expected to dress ____ for the interview, reflecting professionalism.
  4. The company decided to ____ apologize for the service disruption through a press release.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which of the following phrases best describes something that is done with proper authority and recognition? a) informally agreed b) officially sanctioned c) casually announced d) formally recognized e) privately settled

  2. The university will ____ launch its new research center next month, marking a significant milestone. Which word(s) complete(s) the sentence appropriately? a) genuinely b) officially c) publicly d) provisionally e) formally

  3. The government has not yet ____ declared the state of emergency, despite the rising floodwaters. a) informally b) officially c) partially d) tentatively e) truly

  4. Which word best describes a person who is overly assertive or self-important, especially regarding their perceived authority? a) efficient b) officious c) official d) objective e) obliging

  5. The committee decided to ____ postpone the decision until further data was collected. a) eventually b) temporarily c) permanently d) suddenly e) precisely

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The company will make an announcement about the merger after it receives final approval from the regulatory bodies.
    • Rewrite using "officially":
  2. The new regulations are now in effect, having been signed into law by the president.
    • Rewrite using "officially" or a related word form:
  3. They need to formally acknowledge receipt of the document before processing the application.
    • Rewrite without using "officially", but using a suitable replacement word:

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The new policy will be officially implemented next quarter, after all departments have reviewed the changes.
  2. Although the committee made a preliminary decision, the results won't be officially announced until the board meeting next week.
  3. Candidates are expected to dress formally for the interview, reflecting professionalism.
  4. The company decided to publicly apologize for the service disruption through a press release.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. b) officially sanctioned, d) formally recognized
  2. b) officially, c) publicly, e) formally
  3. b) officially
  4. b) officious
  5. b) temporarily

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The company will officially announce the merger after it receives final approval from the regulatory bodies.
  2. The new regulations are now officially in effect, having been signed into law by the president.
  3. They need to properly acknowledge receipt of the document before processing the application.

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