off-screen
adverb or adjective
variants
or offscreen
1
: out of sight of the movie or television viewer
a shot fired off-screen
Before long, Anthony introduces himself to the family pooch, who is whooshed away to an off-screen death.—
Kris Turnquist
Kris Turnquist2
: in private life : when not appearing in a movie, on television, etc.
Moyer's off-screen magnetism comes from a down-to-earth friendliness.—Kate Hahn
Kate HahnPfeiffer, 34, remains a mystery woman offscreen.—Michael A. Lipton
Michael A. LiptonExamples of off-screen in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Someone coughs off-screen, making the camera swivel to the drive-thru window.
—Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025
Although Jon Cryer recently appeared in Charlie Sheen‘s documentary, the former onscreen brothers appear to have lost touch off-screen.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 14 Sep. 2025
As the murder mystery unfolds on-screen, the cast also balances parenthood off-screen.
—Francesca Gariano, People.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Selling ‘prestige and dreams’ Recognizing the importance of celebrity exposure, Armani hired Wanda McDaniel in 1988 as his West Coast liaison to coordinate Hollywood A-listers’ wardrobes for on- and off-screen appearances.
—Elizabeth Castaldo Lundén, The Conversation, 11 Sep. 2025
Meryl Streep’s schedule presumably explains why Loretta, newly wedded to Martin Short’s Oliver, spends the first half of the latest Only Murders in the Building season off-screen.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2025
The actors reportedly became close friends off-screen, which translated into the effortless banter and playful pranks on-screen.
—Marc Berman, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Under Capri’s ownership, Colman and Choi have worked closely to build momentum at Jimmy Choo, dressing celebrities on- and off-screen; adding variety to the footwear mix, and building up the handbag category, which now accounts for a large part of sales.
—Wwd Staff, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2025
The footage captures multiple moments of the feline appearing and reappearing over several hours, walking with purpose before disappearing off-screen and eventually returning.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
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Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025
Although Jon Cryer recently appeared in Charlie Sheen‘s documentary, the former onscreen brothers appear to have lost touch off-screen.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 14 Sep. 2025
As the murder mystery unfolds on-screen, the cast also balances parenthood off-screen.
—Francesca Gariano, People.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Selling ‘prestige and dreams’ Recognizing the importance of celebrity exposure, Armani hired Wanda McDaniel in 1988 as his West Coast liaison to coordinate Hollywood A-listers’ wardrobes for on- and off-screen appearances.
—Elizabeth Castaldo Lundén, The Conversation, 11 Sep. 2025
Meryl Streep’s schedule presumably explains why Loretta, newly wedded to Martin Short’s Oliver, spends the first half of the latest Only Murders in the Building season off-screen.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2025
The actors reportedly became close friends off-screen, which translated into the effortless banter and playful pranks on-screen.
—Marc Berman, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Under Capri’s ownership, Colman and Choi have worked closely to build momentum at Jimmy Choo, dressing celebrities on- and off-screen; adding variety to the footwear mix, and building up the handbag category, which now accounts for a large part of sales.
—Wwd Staff, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2025
The footage captures multiple moments of the feline appearing and reappearing over several hours, walking with purpose before disappearing off-screen and eventually returning.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Off-screen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/off-screen. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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