What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
officiate
Example
The priest will officiate the wedding ceremony. [officiate: verb]
Example
He has been chosen to officiate the championship game. [officiate: verb]
Example
The CEO will officiate the annual shareholders' meeting. [officiate: verb]
administer
Example
The nurse will administer the vaccine. [administer: verb]
Example
He was appointed to administer the company's finances. [administer: verb]
Example
The teacher will administer the exam tomorrow. [administer: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Administer is more commonly used than officiate in everyday language. Administer is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while officiate is less common and refers to specific ceremonial or leadership roles.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between officiate and administer?
Officiate is more formal and is typically used in official or ceremonial contexts, while administer can be used in both formal and informal contexts.