office

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable or uncountable

   A room or building where people work at desks, often doing administrative or professional tasks.

   Grammar: Countable when referring to a specific room or building: 'She works in an office.' Uncountable when referring to the workplace in general: 'I have to go to office.'

   Patterns

   • in an office
   • at the office
   • office worker
   • office hours

   She spends most of her day in a small office with a view of the parking lot.

   The company moved to a new office downtown last month.

   I'll be at the office until six, so you can call me there.

2. 2nouncountable or uncountable

   A position of authority, especially in government or an organization.

   Grammar: Often used in phrases like 'run for office' or 'take office' without an article, or with 'the' when referring to a specific position: 'the office of mayor.'

   Patterns

   • run for office
   • take office
   • hold office
   • the office of president

   She decided to run for office after years of community work.

   The new mayor will take office in January.

   He held the office of treasurer for three terms.

Word forms

Common combinations

office building

They work in a tall office building in the city center.

office hours

The professor's office hours are posted on her door.

head office

All complaints should be sent to the head office.

office supplies

We need to order more office supplies like paper and pens.

run for office

He announced he would run for office next year.

Synonyms and how they differ

workplace

More general; refers to any place where work is done, not specifically a desk-based room or building.

bureau

Often used for a government department or a specialized office, and can sound more formal.

Word family

officer noun

A person who holds a position of authority, especially in the military or police.

official adjective

Relating to an authority or public body; approved by someone in power.

officiate verb

To perform the duties of an official, especially at a ceremony or game.

Commonly confused: office or officer?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “office”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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