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

The Whisper number is the Street's unofficial view on earnings. —Adam Sarhan, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025

That falls into the unofficial hierarchy of Disney Adults, where fans look down on other fans, perhaps pooh-poohing ones who aren’t annual passholders or haven’t stayed in the most chichi hotels or lack international parks experience. —Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2025

But Schmitt is clearly earning clout in his unofficial role as MAGA liaison in his clubby chamber. —Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 5 Aug. 2025

Although Reneé Rapp has been on an unofficial acting hiatus while releasing her new album Bite Me, there’s at least one role that could tempt her back to the screen. —Glenn Garner, Deadline, 4 Aug. 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