Office: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ’ผ
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office

 

[ หˆษ”fษชs ]

Context #1 | Noun

workplace environment

A room or a set of rooms in which business, professional, or clerical work is carried out.

Synonyms

workplace, workspace, workstation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
office

Generally refers to a physical room or set of rooms where business, administrative, or professional work is done. Can be used to describe the place where someone works on a daily basis.

  • I have to go to the office early tomorrow for a meeting.
  • Her office is on the 10th floor of the building.
workplace

Used to refer to any location where work is performed, including offices, factories, and stores. It encompasses the general environment and conditions of the place of employment.

  • The company is working on improving the safety in the workplace.
  • He loves the friendly atmosphere at his workplace.
workstation

Refers to an individualโ€™s specific desk, cubicle, or the equipment setup used for work, often in a technical or computing context. Frequently implies a high-performance setup used for specialized tasks.

  • He upgraded his workstation to handle more complex graphics work.
  • Each employee is assigned a workstation with a computer and phone.
workspace

Focused on the specific area or space where an individual performs their tasks. This can be a desk, a cubicle, or even a virtual environment.

  • I need to organize my workspace to be more productive.
  • Her workspace is always cluttered with papers and books.

Examples of usage

  • The office was bustling with activity as employees prepared for the upcoming deadline.
  • She sat at her desk in the corner of the office, surrounded by paperwork.
  • His office had a view of the city skyline, which he enjoyed during his breaks.
Context #2 | Noun

position or duty

A position of authority, trust, or service, typically one of a public or official character.

Synonyms

duty, position, role.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
office

This word is best used when referring to a physical place where business or professional work is done, or a high-ranking government job.

  • She spends most of her day at the office.
  • He was elected to the office of mayor last year.
position

This term is often used to describe a person's job title or rank within an organization, often focusing on the hierarchical aspect.

  • She was promoted to the position of senior manager.
  • He applied for the position of a marketing coordinator.
role

This word works well when describing the functions, responsibilities, or expected behavior within a job or social situation.

  • His role in the project is to manage the resources.
  • She plays an important role in her community.
duty

This word is suitable when talking about a responsibility or obligation that someone is required to perform by virtue of their job, role, or moral obligation.

  • It's your duty to inform your manager about any issues.
  • He feels itโ€™s his duty to care for his elderly parents.

Examples of usage

  • She was elected to the office of president for the next term.
  • He took on the office of treasurer for the organization.
Context #3 | Noun

service or function

A service or a function provided by an organization or person.

Synonyms

department, function, service.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
office

Refers to a physical space where business activities are conducted or a position of authority within a company or government.

  • She goes to the office every day
  • He was elected to the office of Mayor
service

Refers to the action of helping or doing work for someone, or a department providing a particular type of assistance.

  • Customer service is available 24/7
  • The bus service runs every 15 minutes
function

Describes a specific activity or role of a person or thing, often within an organization.

  • His function is to oversee the project management
  • The primary function of this device is communication
department

Used to describe a division within a larger organization that handles specific tasks or functions.

  • She works in the marketing department
  • The department of health issued new guidelines

Examples of usage

  • The office of customer support is available 24/7 to assist with any inquiries.
  • She contacted the office of human resources to inquire about benefits.

Translations

Translations of the word "office" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น escritรณrio

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค•เคพเคฐเฅเคฏเคพเคฒเคฏ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Bรผro

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ kantor

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะพั„ั–ั

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ biuro

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใ‚ชใƒ•ใ‚ฃใ‚น

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท bureau

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ oficina

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท ofis

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์‚ฌ๋ฌด์‹ค

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู…ูƒุชุจ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ kancelรกล™

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ kancelรกria

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅŠžๅ…ฌๅฎค

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ pisarna

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ skrifstofa

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะบะตาฃัะต

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒแƒคแƒ˜แƒกแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ofis

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ oficina

Etymology

The word 'office' originated from the Latin word 'officium', which means duty or service. It has evolved over time to encompass various meanings related to workplaces, positions of authority, and functions within organizations. The concept of an office as a physical workspace became prominent during the rise of bureaucratic structures in the 19th century. Today, offices play a crucial role in facilitating work and communication in both professional and administrative settings.

See also: officer.

Word Frequency Rank

With position #351, this word is vital for basic English fluency. It appears very frequently in everyday language and should be among the first words you learn and actively use.