off-the-record

adjective

off-the-rec·​ord ˈȯf-ṯẖə-ˈre-kərd 

: given or made in confidence and not for publication

off-the-record comments

Examples of off-the-record in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The following account is based on Bloomberg reporting over nearly two years, including on- and off-the-record conversations with more than two dozen analysts, fund managers, traders and current and former company employees. —Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 20 July 2025

Details are classified for now, though this reporter was promised an off-the-record reveal at AIFF’s rooftop soiree. —Essie Assibu, Variety, 15 July 2025

Typically, the media is expected to treat messages from this platform as off-the-record, but a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration official granted CNN permission to report general information about the Texas disaster from the platform. —Curt Devine, CNN Money, 7 July 2025

Most of these off-the-record asks happen during early development: pitches, mood boards, preproduction. —Lila Shapiro, Vulture, 4 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for off-the-record

• particleboard
• phonorecord
• underinsured
• abhorred
• aboard
• accord
• adored
• afford
• award
• baseboard
• billboard
• blackboard

Kids Definition

off-the-record

adjective

: given or made privately and not meant for publication

off-the-record comments