good offices: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal, Diplomatic, Legal
Quick answer
What does “good offices” mean?
The friendly intervention or helpful efforts of someone to resolve a dispute or facilitate an agreement between others.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The friendly intervention or helpful efforts of someone to resolve a dispute or facilitate an agreement between others.
The formal or diplomatic services provided by a neutral third party, such as a person, organization, or state, to mediate between conflicting parties, often involving discreet communication, hosting negotiations, or proposing solutions without imposing terms.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common in British formal and diplomatic contexts. In American English, 'mediation services' or simply 'mediation' is often preferred in non-diplomatic writing.
Connotations
UK: Suggests established, traditional channels of discreet diplomacy. US: Can sound slightly archaic or very formal outside of international law/diplomacy.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, but higher in UK legal and diplomatic documents.
Grammar
How to Use “good offices” in a Sentence
[Entity A] resolved the dispute through the good offices of [Entity B].[Entity B] offered its good offices to [Verb Phrase: facilitate talks].An agreement was reached by the good offices of [Neutral Party].Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used in high-level corporate dispute resolution, e.g., 'The merger proceeded through the good offices of a retired chairman.'
Academic
Common in political science, international relations, and law texts discussing conflict resolution.
Everyday
Very rare. Would sound overly formal or ironic.
Technical
Standard term in international law and diplomacy (e.g., UN Charter, Article 33).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “good offices”
Strong
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “good offices”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “good offices”
- Using 'good office' (singular).
- Confusing with 'good office' meaning a physical workplace.
- Using in informal contexts where 'help' is meant.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Always plural. It refers to multiple services or acts of mediation.
Not typically. A person or entity 'offers' or 'provides' their good offices. One acts 'through' or 'by' the good offices of someone.
'Good offices' often implies a lighter, more facilitative role (e.g., passing messages, providing a venue), while 'mediation' suggests a more active role in proposing solutions. However, they are frequently used interchangeably.
It is a traditional term still actively used in modern diplomacy and international law, though it can sound formal elsewhere.
The friendly intervention or helpful efforts of someone to resolve a dispute or facilitate an agreement between others.
Good offices is usually formal, diplomatic, legal in register.
Good offices: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɡʊd ˈɒfɪsɪz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡʊd ˈɔːfɪsɪz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a kindly office manager ('good office-r') who steps in to help two arguing colleagues make up. Their 'good offices' are their helpful, mediating actions.
Conceptual Metaphor
DIPLOMACY/HELP IS A SERVICE PROVIDED FROM A NEUTRAL LOCATION (the 'office').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'good offices' LEAST likely to be used?