French word

officier

Pronunciation

IPA/ofisje/

Meaning

  • masculine nounofficer

Example

Il est officier depuis dix ans.

He has been an officer for ten years.

Illustration for officier (officer)

More examples

L'officier d'état-major a préparé le plan.

The staff officer prepared the plan.

Core concept

A person marked by rank insignia and entrusted with command or supervision inside an armed or similar organization.

Common phrases

  • officier d'état-major

    staff officer

  • officier de réserve

    reserve officer

Similar words

militaire: A person who serves in the armed forces.
soldat: A service member who performs combat and routine military duties.
policier: A police officer who protects the public and maintains public order.
gendarme: A military police officer who maintains local order and carries out police duties.

Definition in French

Membre d'une institution armée ou paramilitaire qui occupe un grade et assume des responsabilités de direction ou de supervision.

Word origin

The noun developed from Old French officier, borrowed from Medieval Latin officiarius for a person performing an official function, and later specialized in military and related institutions.

Usage tips

  • The usual article is un officier because the noun is masculine; the plural is officiers, pronounced the same as the singular.

Opposites

Word lists with this word