offline

adjective

off·​line ˈȯf-ˈlīn How to pronounce offline (audio)
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
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
2
of a person : not available (as for communication) especially by way of the the Internet
She was having computer trouble, she told him, and would be offline for a while.Mark Warren
off-line adverb

Examples of offline in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
If Max goes down because an update is buggy, servers break, or someone launches a cyberattack, the app could be offline for some period—in this case, potentially halting millions of bank payments, messages, and identity-verification attempts through the app. Justin Sherman, The Atlantic, 11 Oct. 2025 Office 2024 is designed for modern professionals who need seamless collaboration, offline reliability, and strong security. PC Magazine, 11 Oct. 2025 Investigations ultimately found that the outage's cause was gas and coal plants that were forced offline because of freezing temperatures. Julia Simon, NPR, 8 Oct. 2025 According to the area technical manager, the Ya Bridge project stood out for its use of digital twins and offline programming combined with laser and hybrid welding techniques. Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2025 While sparks fly on and offline for Charlie and Beau, her besties Izzy and Kam (Katy O’Brian) provide the comedic relief and humor often lacking in recent romance movies. Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Refinery29, 7 Oct. 2025 Russell—who stays largely offline—is impressed by stars, like Naomi Watts, who use TikTok or Instagram to flash eccentric senses of humor that don’t come across in their dramatic roles. Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025 Parents appreciated how the toy blends offline and online play, letting kids spend time drawing away from screens before seeing their creations come to life digitally. Emily Glover, Parents, 2 Oct. 2025 These top tracks will bask in extensive online-offline promotion, earn Billboard‘s official seal, and grab global attention on Billboard‘s site and via its vast social media network. Billboard China, Billboard, 1 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of offline was in 1919

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Offline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/offline. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.

Kids 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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