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office

22 synonyms and 1 antonym for office, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A room or building where people do administrative or professional work.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

workspace billet office staff federal agency business office government agency

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A room or building where people do administrative or professional work.

“She works in an office downtown from nine to five.”

workplace workspace bureau headquarters premises part place power post position role situation authority agency spot function berth billet office staff federal agency business office government agency

2. noun

A position of authority or trust, especially in government.

“He was elected to office in a close race.”

Opposites

How to use office

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

run for office hold office take office work in an office

Etymology

From Latin officium, "duty, service, official position" — originally built from the words for "work" and "to do/make".

Full origin of office →

Frequently asked questions

What does “office” mean?
The word “office” means a room or building where people do administrative or professional work. In plain terms, either the workplace itself, or a formal position of responsibility (especially a political one).
How do you pronounce “office”?
“Office” is pronounced OF-ihs (/ˈɔ.fɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “office” in a sentence?
Here is “office” used in a sentence: “She works in an office downtown from nine to five.”
What part of speech is “office”?
“Office” is a noun.
Where does the word “office” come from?
The word “office” comes from Latin. From Latin officium, "duty, service, official position" — originally built from the words for "work" and "to do/make".
Is “office” a common word?
“Office” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “office” have?
“Office” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a room or building where people do administrative or professional work.
What is the difference between an office and a workplace?
An office is a specific kind of workplace — a room or building for administrative or professional work, typically done at desks. A workplace is any location where work happens, including factories, shops, farms, and building sites. Every office is a workplace, but many workplaces are not offices at all.
What are the types of office?
Offices range from private single-person rooms to large open-plan floors shared by many workers. There are also home offices, corporate headquarters, government offices, and increasingly virtual or remote setups. The word also names function-based offices, such as a doctor's office, a post office, or a booking office.
Does 'office' also mean a position or role?
Yes. Besides a place, "office" can mean a position of authority or duty, as in "the office of president" or "taking office." In this sense it refers to the responsibilities and powers of a role rather than a physical room. Both meanings share the idea of formal, organised work.
What is the difference between an office and a cubicle?
An office is the whole room or building used for professional work. A cubicle is a small partitioned workspace within a larger open-plan office, offering a partial sense of privacy without full walls or a door. So a cubicle is one work area inside an office, not a replacement for one.

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Synonyms and antonyms from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA.