unofficial

adjective

un·​of·​fi·​cial ˌən-ə-ˈfi-shəl 

 also  -ō-

: not authorized or acknowledged by a government, group, class, or society : not official

unofficial results

an unofficial policy

unofficially adverb

Examples of unofficial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Since the university hired Belichick in December, Hudson has served in an unofficial role on the football program, which includes being copied on all emails sent to Belichick, per multiple reports. —Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 2 May 2025

However, being able to order items off the unofficial menu is just a matter of who is behind the counter, the manager said at the time. —Becca Longmire, People.com, 2 May 2025

Despite not being employed by the school, Hudson’s public actions have seemingly portrayed her as an unofficial communications and administrative assistant for Belichick. —Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 1 May 2025

The festivities are held the third weekend in January and are the unofficial close of the Christmas season on the island. —Laia Garcia-Furtado, Vogue, 1 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1784, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unofficial

• artificial
• beneficial
• cicatricial
• interstitial
• nonjudicial
• nonofficial
• prejudicial
• sacrificial
• superficial
• extrajudicial
• semiofficial
• initial

Medical Definition

unofficial

adjective

un·​of·​fi·​cial ˌən-ə-ˈfish-əl 

: not official

specifically : of, relating to, or being a drug not described in the United States Pharmacopeia and National Formulary compare nonofficial, official