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Added 9 October 2026

officiate

/əˈfɪ.ʃi.eɪt/ verb

Latin root: officiātus Wiktionary

verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about officiate at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

To perform the functions of some office. .mw-parser-output .defdate{font-size:smaller}
She officiated as registrar at the wedding.
To serve as umpire or referee.
This is the second time he has officiated at a cup-final.

noun

A person appointed to office, an official.

Origin

Borrowed from Latin officiātus, perfect participle of Late Latin officior (“to perform a function”) and of Medieval Latin officiō (“to officiate, say mass (9th cent.); to serve a church (13th cent.); to serve (early 13th c., 14th in British sources); to discharge an office (14th c.)”), from Latin officium (“official duty, service”), see -ate (verb-forming suffix). The noun is derived from Medieval Latin officiātus (“monk in charge of a monastic office, official (start of 12th c., 14th in British sources)”), substantivized from the participle, see -ate (noun-forming suffix).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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