office
OF-ihs
Office (noun) means a room or building where people do administrative or professional work. Example: “She works in an office downtown from nine to five.”
noun
1
A room or building where people do administrative or professional work.
"She works in an office downtown from nine to five."
"The office is closed on public holidays."
"I left my umbrella at the office yesterday."
2
A position of authority or trust, especially in government.
"He was elected to office in a close race."
"The senator has held office for three terms."
"She hopes to run for office one day and help her town."
How to use office
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the workplace itself, or a formal position of responsibility (especially a political one).
Common pairings
run for office
hold office
take office
work in an office
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- offices
- Past tense
- officed
Fill the gap
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She works in an _____ downtown from nine to five.
Etymology
From Latin officium, "duty, service, official position" — originally built from the words for "work" and "to do/make".
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for office
See all rhymes for 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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