Definition

Adverb - By virtue of one's official position or title: This phrase indicates that an action, authority, privilege, or responsibility is performed or held because of the formal position a person occupies, not due to a separate, specific appointment or personal quality.

Usage

The phrase "by right of office" is used to describe an automatic consequence or attribute of holding a particular job or title. It is formal and often used in legal, governmental, or organizational contexts. - It typically modifies a verb or an entire clause to explain the basis of an authority or action. - It is synonymous with the Latin term ex officio, which is frequently used in similar formal settings.

Examples

• The university chancellor is a member of the board of trustees by right of office.
• The secretary shall keep the minutes by right of office.
• He attended the summit by right of office as the head of the department.

Advanced Usage

• Ex officio: This is the direct Latin equivalent, meaning "from the office." It is often used interchangeably with "by right of office" in formal English, particularly in bylaws, constitutions, and official documents.
  • The Vice President serves as President of the Senate ex officio.

Variants and Related Words

• Ex officio (adverb/adjective): By virtue or because of an office. Often used as an adjective before a noun (e.g., ).
• By virtue of office: A less common but equivalent phrasing.
• Official capacity: A related noun phrase describing actions taken in one's formal role.

Synonyms

• Ex officio
• By virtue of position
• Officially
• As a function of one's office

Notes

• The phrase emphasizes the impersonal nature of the authority; it belongs to the itself, not the individual person.
• It is not typically used in casual, everyday conversation but is standard in formal, institutional language.

Adverb

1. by virtue of position
   • the president sat on the committee ex officio