off-the-record

adjective

off-the-rec·​ord ˈȯf-ṯẖə-ˈre-kərd How to pronounce off-the-record (audio)
: given or made in confidence and not for publication
off-the-record comments

Examples of off-the-record in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Speculation has swirled around the site of a Hashed al-Shaabi militia facility after a senior administration official mentioned it during an off-the-record briefing. Rich Lowry, National Review, 4 Feb. 2024 Email address: At the resort, Thomas gave a speech at an off-the-record conservative conference. Justin Elliott, ProPublica, 18 Dec. 2023 At the resort, Thomas gave a speech at an off-the-record conservative conference. Justin Elliott, Fortune, 18 Dec. 2023 The documents, or portions of them, were also shared with several reporters on an off-the-record basis. Tracy Wang, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2023 In quiet conversations and off-the-record gatherings, Democratic officials frequently acknowledge their worries about Biden’s age and sagging approval ratings. Lisa Lerer, BostonGlobe.com, 17 Sep. 2023 The first is stealthy, an off-the-record session with the Round Table, a group of government, academia, and industry types. Steven Levy, WIRED, 5 Sep. 2023 Other trips to the nation’s capital included an exclusive, off-the-record dinner for the Alfalfa Club, a social organization of politicians and corporate leaders, on Jan. 28. Sam Janesch, Baltimore Sun, 30 Aug. 2023 The situation has reached a strange netherworld of off-the-record confirmations and denials where one set of sources says one thing and another says the opposite, and most likely no one is telling the whole truth. Jem Aswad Variety Entertainment News Service, al, 23 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'off-the-record.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of off-the-record was in 1920

Dictionary Entries Near off-the-record

Cite this Entry

“Off-the-record.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/off-the-record. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

off-the-record

adjective
: given or made privately and not meant for publication
off-the-record comments

More from Merriam-Webster on off-the-record

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