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

In the years since that race, Gaines has established herself as an unofficial face of conservative attacks on the NCAA, joining a March 2024 lawsuit accusing the association of violating Title IX by allowing trans athletes to compete. —Abby Monteil, Them., 28 Oct. 2025

Taking in the years 1956 to 1963, Through the Open Window serves as an unofficial companion to last year’s A Complete Unknown biopic. —David Browne, Rolling Stone, 26 Oct. 2025

Believe it or not, many easy costume inspirations can be drawn from celebrities (not everyone goes all out like Hollywood's unofficial Halloween queen, Heidi Klum). —Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025

Border officials and airlines often interpret passport damage differently, which makes any unofficial mark a travel risk. —Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 25 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