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

Baldo is the company’s unofficial sustainability evangelist and catalyst, following his stint at Ganni, one of fashion’s favorite sustainability-champion brands. — Brooke Roberts-Islam, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

The film’s trailer, guided by the unofficial Mayor of the Marquis, Billy Bob Thornton, hints at the tales of wild nights, impromptu poolside concerts, and a clandestine stairway excursion. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 22 July 2026

Arizona primary election results are unofficial until local and state officials have tallied all ballots and certified the results. — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 22 July 2026

The initial unofficial results reflect early balloting through July 19, but not Election Day voting, a bloc that in recent election cycles tends to be more conservative than early voters. — Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 21 July 2026

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