officer
gb/ˈɔfɪsɚ/ us/ˈɔfɪsɚ/
A2
English
~ 700
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
Person with official authority
A person with an important job in the police, army, or another organization.
Usage pattern:
[an/a/the] officer [of/in/with organization]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'officer' with 'official'; 'officer' usually refers to roles in uniformed services like police or military, while 'official' is broader.
Synonyms
official (More general; can refer to any person with a formal role in an organization, not just police or military.)
Antonyms
civilian (Refers to someone not serving in the police, military, or similar organization.)
Collocations
police officer
|army officer
|senior officer
|military officer
|customs officer
Themes
law
|military
|government
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The police officer asked to see my driver's license.
- She was promoted to the rank of senior officer.
- The army officer led his unit into the field.
- A customs officer checked our passports at the border.
- The security officer escorted the visitors to the meeting room.
Learner examples
- The police officer is talking to the driver.
- An army officer is wearing a green uniform.
- The customs officer looks at my passport.
- The officer helps people cross the street.
- A security officer works at the front door.
Noun
B1
entity
2
Person with organizational responsibility
A person who has an important job in a company or group.
Usage pattern:
[an/a/the] officer [of/in organization]
Common mistake:
Some learners think 'officer' only means police or military; it can also mean someone with a high position in any organization.
Synonyms
executive (Often used for top management positions in business contexts.)
Antonyms
member (Refers to someone who belongs to an organization but does not hold an official position.)
Collocations
company officer
|chief executive officer
|club officer
|elected officer
Themes
business
|organizations
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He serves as the chief financial officer of the firm.
- The club officers met to plan the annual event.
- As a corporate officer, she is responsible for compliance with regulations.
- The elected officers will serve for one year.
- The board appointed new officers after the merger.
Learner examples
- He is the chief officer of the company.
- The club has four officers.
- The officers meet once a month.
- She is an officer in a sports club.
- They choose new officers every year.
Grammar
Dictionary form
officer
IPA
GB/ˈɔfɪsɚ/
US/ˈɔfɪsɚ/
Syllables & stress
of - ficer (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (of)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: officer
- Plural: officers
Word family
Forms
officers
noun
Core family
Related words
officiate
verb
Negative and opposite forms
unofficial
adjective B2
unofficially
adverb
Advanced or less common
officious
adjective
Expressions
customs officer
1/kˈʌstəmz ˈɔfɪsɚ/
fixed phrase
Official checking goods at borders
A person whose job is to check bags and goods at a border or airport.
Examples
- The customs officer asked if I had anything to declare.
- A customs officer inspected our luggage when we arrived.
security officer
1/sɪkjˈʊɹɪti ˈɔfɪsɚ/
fixed phrase
Person responsible for protection
A person whose job is to keep people and property safe from harm or crime.
Examples
- The security officer checked our IDs before letting us in.
- A security officer patrols the building at night.
police officer
1/pəlˈis ˈɔfɪsɚ/
fixed phrase
Law enforcement worker
A person whose job is to stop crime and keep people safe.
Examples
- A police officer stopped me for speeding.
- The police officer directed traffic after the accident.
- The children waved at the police officer.
- A police officer visited our school to talk about safety.