office
22 synonyms and 0 antonyms 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.
How to use office
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
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.