officer
officer
Pronunciation
The word "officer" is pronounced /ˈɒfɪsər/.
Of- /ɒf/
fi- /ɪ/
cer /sər/
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: officer
Plural Noun: officers
Possessive Singular Noun: officer's
Possessive Plural Noun: officers'
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A person holding a position of authority or trust, especially in a government, corporation, or organization. This often implies a role with specific duties and responsibilities, often involving leadership or administration.
Synonyms: executive, administrator, director, official, manager, leader, chief
Antonyms: subordinate, employee, commoner, civilian
A member of the armed forces or a police force who holds a commission or warrant and has a position of authority. This specifically refers to individuals with ranks like captain, sergeant, lieutenant, etc., who command others.
Synonyms: commandant, commander, captain, lieutenant, sergeant, patrolman (for police)
Antonyms: enlisted person, private, recruit, civilian
A person appointed to preside over meetings, maintain order, or carry out specific functions within a club, society, or other non-governmental group. This highlights a procedural or administrative role within a voluntary association.
Synonyms: chairman, secretary, treasurer, president, convenor
Antonyms: member, participant, attendee
Examples of Use
Books:
"The first officer on deck was a grim, silent man who rarely spoke unless directly addressed, but whose eyes missed nothing." (from Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad, 1899)
"She knew that the officer was trying to provoke a reaction, but she kept her face impassive." (from The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood, 1985)
Newspapers:
"Police officers responded to a call about a disturbance at a local restaurant." ( The New York Times)
"A senior bank officer announced the company's latest financial results, highlighting growth in emerging markets." (The Wall Street Journal)
Online Publications:
"A new study by a chief medical officer suggests a link between air pollution and respiratory illnesses." ( Scientific American)
"The tech company announced the appointment of a new chief operating officer to oversee its global expansion." ( TechCrunch)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Television (Dialogue): "Officer, I swear I didn't see him. He just came out of nowhere!" (from an episode of Law & Order, aired 2000s)
Film (Dialogue): "Sir, yes, sir! The commanding officer's orders are clear." (from A Few Good Men, 1992)
Video Games (Character Title): "Officer Jenny" (a recurring character in the Pokémon video game and anime series, first appearance 1996)
Music (Lyrics): "Officer, officer, I've done nothing wrong, why are you stopping me?" (lyrics from a protest song by various artists)
General Public Discourse:
"Excuse me, Officer, could you tell me how to get to the train station?" (Spoken on a street)
"At our annual general meeting, we elected new club officers for the upcoming year." (Spoken in a community group meeting)
"The corporate officer responsible for sustainability presented their annual report to the board." (Heard in a business conference)
10 Quotes Using Officer
"Now hear this, all officers and men. We have just begun to fight." (John Paul Jones, 1779)
"Every officer and man knows that our cause is just, and that we are fighting for our homes, our country, and our God." (Robert E. Lee, 1862)
"I am confident that if we work together, hand in hand, with the police officer, the citizen, and the community, we can make a difference." (Frank Rizzo, 1970s)
"An officer without a sense of humor is a poor leader." (Dwight D. Eisenhower)
"I believe that the first duty of an officer is to understand what he is told." (Douglas MacArthur)
"No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main... any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee." (Often attributed to a variation of John Donne's Meditation XVII, where "bell tolls for thee" is an implicit call to every human, even an officer)
"To be an officer is to be a leader, and to be a leader is to serve." (Attributed to various military figures)
"When a police officer is murdered, it's a direct assault on our society, on our system of justice, and on our freedom." (Donald Trump, 2017)
"The first duty of an officer is to lead his men, not to manage them." (Hyman G. Rickover)
"You cannot be a good police officer if you don't love your community." (William Bratton)
Etymology
The word "officer" has a clear and interesting history that goes back to Latin!
It comes from the Old French word "oficier" (from the early 1300s), which meant "officer" or "official." This Old French word, in turn, came from the Medieval Latin word "officiarius," also meaning "an officer."
But if we go even further back, the root is the classical Latin word "officium." This word had a broad meaning, encompassing "a service," "a duty," "a function," or "an official duty." Think of it as referring to a responsibility or a job that someone was expected to carry out.
So, the very first meaning of "officer" was someone who held an official post or was entrusted with a responsibility – essentially, someone performing a "duty" or "service." This meaning, specifically as a noun, emerged in English around the late 14th century, with early uses found in the writings of figures like Geoffrey Chaucer.
Over time, the meaning became more specific to military and law enforcement roles, but at its heart, an "officer" is someone who holds a position that requires them to perform certain duties.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Officer
Officer of the day: A military or naval officer assigned to supervise daily activities.
Commissioned officer: A military officer holding a commission.
Non-commissioned officer (NCO): A military officer who has not been commissioned.
Chief financial officer (CFO): A senior corporate officer responsible for managing the financial actions of a company.
Chief executive officer (CEO): The highest-ranking executive in a company.
Officer on duty: Referring to an officer who is currently working their shift.
To report to an officer: To formally present oneself or information to a superior.
Officer friendly: (Often used somewhat ironically or sarcastically) A term for a police officer, implying a friendly or approachable demeanor.
Officer material: Someone who possesses the qualities and potential to become an officer.
To be an officer and a gentleman: (Historically used, especially in military contexts) To uphold high standards of conduct, integrity, and honor.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of officer from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
