Is this your crossword clue?
"official" is also used as a crossword clue. If that's what you saw, the answer is often ref (3 letters).
Definitions
Formally authorized, public, or connected with an office.
Word origin
From Middle English official, from Old French official, from Latin officiālis, from Latin officium (“duty, service”), by surface analysis, office + -ial.
Used in a sentence
“official duties”
“an official statement or report”
“The Official Strategy Guide”
Source: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0
Used as a crossword answer1 curated clues
01“Formally authorized”8 letters
Not quite right?
"Search similar patterns."
O_______