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

Beijing has long been irked by Washington’s unofficial relationship with Taipei, and the island often features in high-level diplomatic conversations between the two sides. —Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025

Data is from the City of Detroit Clerk's unofficial results. —Detroit Free Press, Freep.com, 4 Nov. 2025

Stop for a selfie with Nassau Daddy Peacock, a colorful statue that serves as the unofficial welcoming committee of Little Bahamas. —Susan B. Barnes, Southern Living, 1 Nov. 2025

In the August primary, Soptic won 6,451 votes according to an unofficial count from the Wyandotte County Election Office. —Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 31 Oct. 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