variants
or less commonly off-line
1
: not connected to or served by a system and especially a computer or telecommunications system
One of the servers is offline.
… we suggest you keep a backup of your digital assets in offline storage, too. This storage can provide some cushioning if your online investment disappears in an instant.—
The Denver (Colorado) Post
The Denver (Colorado) Post
also
: done or occurring independently of such a system
our online and offline lives
offline activities/events
Movies and shows can be downloaded via the app for offline viewing. —Dan Auty
Dan Auty 2
of a person
: not available (as for communication) especially by way of the Internet
She was having computer trouble, she told him, and would be offline for a while.—Mark Warren
Mark Warren
off-line
adverb
Examples of offline in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Hulu lets premium subscribers download select TV shows and movies for offline viewing, including its original programming.
—Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 19 Mar. 2026
When those systems went offline for even a day, the disruption was felt from Mumbai to Munich.
—Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 17 Mar. 2026
Santiago de Cuba, the country's second-largest city, remained offline, the reports said, but expected to be reconnected to the grid by day's end.
—Kate Perez, USA Today, 17 Mar. 2026
At the same time, the fact that Kharg’s oil infrastructure was reportedly spared suggests Washington thinks taking the island fully offline could send energy prices sharply higher and shake global markets.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 17 Mar. 2026
With the documentary striking so close to his core, Kahan emphasized remaining authentic, intentional and offline when around his loved ones.
—Katey Psencik, Austin American Statesman, 16 Mar. 2026
In just over a week since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, more than 12 million barrels of oil equivalent per day have been taken offline, according to independent research firm Rystad Energy.
—ABC News, 15 Mar. 2026
In just over a week since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, more than 12 million barrels of oil equivalent per day have been taken offline, according to independent research firm Rystad Energy.
—Alex Veiga, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
The former will now allow 50 downloads for offline viewing, with the latter moving up to 100.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 19 Mar. 2026
When those systems went offline for even a day, the disruption was felt from Mumbai to Munich.
—Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 17 Mar. 2026
Santiago de Cuba, the country's second-largest city, remained offline, the reports said, but expected to be reconnected to the grid by day's end.
—Kate Perez, USA Today, 17 Mar. 2026
At the same time, the fact that Kharg’s oil infrastructure was reportedly spared suggests Washington thinks taking the island fully offline could send energy prices sharply higher and shake global markets.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 17 Mar. 2026
With the documentary striking so close to his core, Kahan emphasized remaining authentic, intentional and offline when around his loved ones.
—Katey Psencik, Austin American Statesman, 16 Mar. 2026
In just over a week since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, more than 12 million barrels of oil equivalent per day have been taken offline, according to independent research firm Rystad Energy.
—ABC News, 15 Mar. 2026
In just over a week since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, more than 12 million barrels of oil equivalent per day have been taken offline, according to independent research firm Rystad Energy.
—Alex Veiga, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
The former will now allow 50 downloads for offline viewing, with the latter moving up to 100.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Offline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/offline. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
offline
adjective
off·line
ˈȯ-ˈflīn 
1
: not connected to or controlled by a computer
an offline printer
2
: not available (as for communication) especially by way of the Internet
she was offline all day
off-line
adverb
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