off-limits

adjective

off-lim·​its ˈȯf-ˈli-məts 

: not to be entered or patronized especially by a designated class of people

Certain areas of the museum are off-limits to visitors.

also : not to be interfered with, considered, or spoken of

The subject of politics was off-limits in her family.

Examples of off-limits in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Ivory, cream, and white are still off-limits, though, unless the bride specifically requests it. —Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 10 Dec. 2025

As a result, over 18,000 private businesses are effectively off-limits to these workers. —Joe Donnelly, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025

The primary bathroom — long off-limits to public tours — features a picture window framing the Hollywood Sign, while the primary bedroom has a nice spot for a vintage TV set. —Oren Peleg, HollywoodReporter, 4 Dec. 2025

Gazyrs, which were traditionally used to store gunpowder for rifles, are now off-limits for designers per the Chechen Culture Ministry. —Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 26 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1945, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for off-limits

• delimits
• limites
• limits

Kids Definition

off-limits

adjective

ˈȯ-ˈflim-əts

1

: not to be entered or used by a certain group of people

2

: not to be discussed or considered

questions about my salary are off-limits