Oifigiúil

Oifigiúil is an Irish-language adjective meaning official. It is used to describe things that are authorized, established, or sanctioned by public or state authorities. The word is closely connected to the noun oifig, meaning office, and appears in a range of formal and legal contexts. In modern Irish, oifigiúil is employed to mark legitimacy and formal status in government, law, and public administration. For example, phrases such as gníomh oifigiúil (an official act) and duine oifigiúil (an official person) are common in official discourse.

A prominent use of the term in Irish governance is in the title Iris Oifigiúil, the Official Journal of Ireland. Iris Oifigiúil is the state’s formal publication for Acts of the Oireachtas, statutory instruments, proclamations, and other legal notices. It serves as the authoritative source for the publication of primary legislation and other official notices, and it is available in print and online. The journal embodies the bilingual nature of Irish public life, with content presented in Irish and English where appropriate.

Etymology-wise, oifigiúil derives from the noun oifig (office) and is related to the concept of officialdom. Its usage underscores the authority and formality associated with state functions, public bodies, and legal processes in the Irish language.

See also: Irish language terminology, Irish government publications, Oireachtais and legislation in Ireland.