official family

The official family gathered for a portrait in the White House.

Definition

1. Noun (chiefly US, journalistic usage):
   • The executive staff or administrative team of a head of state or government: "official family" refers to the group of senior officials, advisors, and department heads who work directly under a president, governor, or other high-ranking leader. It is often used in political reporting to describe the inner circle of a governing administration.

Usage Examples

• (The group of top officials serving the president.)
• (The governor selected her senior administrative team.)
• (The inner circle of advisors and officials.)

Advanced Usage

• Extended meaning: In some contexts, "official family" can refer to the entire staff of a government office or agency, not just the top leadership.
  • The mayor's official family worked late to prepare the budget proposal. (The entire administrative team of the mayor's office.)

Variants and Related Words

• Official (adj/n): relating to an authority or public body; a person holding a position of authority.
  • The official statement was released at noon. (Authoritative announcement.)
• Family (n): a group of people related by blood or marriage; here used metaphorically to mean a close-knit group.
  • The diplomatic family often socializes together. (A group of diplomats.)

Synonyms

• Administration: the group of people who manage a government or organization.
  • The new administration took office in January. (The president's team.)
• Cabinet: a body of senior ministers or advisors in a government.
  • The cabinet meets weekly to discuss policy. (The top advisors.)
• Executive staff: the professional employees who assist a leader.
  • The executive staff prepared the briefing. (The leader's assistants.)

Related Idioms

• The inner circle: a small group of trusted advisors or confidants.
  • Only the inner circle knew about the decision. (The closest advisors.)
• The kitchen cabinet: an informal group of unofficial advisors to a political leader (often historical).
  • President Jackson relied on his kitchen cabinet for advice. (Unofficial advisors.)

Usage Notes

• This term is almost exclusively used in political journalism, particularly in the United States, and is not common in everyday speech.
• It often carries a slightly informal or insider tone, suggesting a close-knit, almost familial relationship among the officials.