off-screen
adverb or adjective
variants
or offscreen
1
: out of sight of the movie or television viewer
a shot fired off-screen
Before long, Anthony introduces himself to the family pooch, who is whooshed away to an off-screen death.—
Kris Turnquist
Kris Turnquist2
: in private life : when not appearing in a movie, on television, etc.
Moyer's off-screen magnetism comes from a down-to-earth friendliness.—Kate Hahn
Kate HahnPfeiffer, 34, remains a mystery woman offscreen.—Michael A. Lipton
Michael A. LiptonExamples of off-screen in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Bridgertons are a family on-screen and friends off-screen, too!
—Sophie Dodd, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026
By the 1930s and ’40s, Grant’s off-screen world was under constant watch as his star rose with films including Bringing Up Baby, His Girl Friday, and Notorious.
—Michelle Duncan, Architectural Digest, 28 Jan. 2026
Fans rally to support Quinton Aaron The actor, known for his generosity and community outreach off-screen, faces not only a life-threatening illness but also mounting medical expenses.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 27 Jan. 2026
Margot Robbie’s Wuthering Heights wardrobe has already made headlines for its fantastical, whimsical, and at times NSFW interpretation of period drama style ahead of the film’s February 13 release—and the Barbie star is channeling Catherine Earnshaw off-screen for her latest outing.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 27 Jan. 2026
But these events unfold with minimal theatrics — the film’s most shocking development takes place entirely off-screen — as Meeks chooses instead to focus on their aftermath, bathing it in the cool blue light of early morning.
—Katie Rife, IndieWire, 25 Jan. 2026
About 30 players from the Houston Dynamo Academy will be featured in the movie, aided off-screen by their actual coaches.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 15 Jan. 2026
Rozanov is known for his cold and competitive exterior, which couldn't be farther from Storrie off-screen – soft and charismatic.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 14 Jan. 2026
Taylor is learning a lot from this whirlwind year about the craft of acting onscreen and the performances that a press tour necessitates off-screen.
—Lindsey Underwood, Vanity Fair, 13 Jan. 2026
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Sophie Dodd, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026
By the 1930s and ’40s, Grant’s off-screen world was under constant watch as his star rose with films including Bringing Up Baby, His Girl Friday, and Notorious.
—Michelle Duncan, Architectural Digest, 28 Jan. 2026
Fans rally to support Quinton Aaron The actor, known for his generosity and community outreach off-screen, faces not only a life-threatening illness but also mounting medical expenses.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 27 Jan. 2026
Margot Robbie’s Wuthering Heights wardrobe has already made headlines for its fantastical, whimsical, and at times NSFW interpretation of period drama style ahead of the film’s February 13 release—and the Barbie star is channeling Catherine Earnshaw off-screen for her latest outing.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 27 Jan. 2026
But these events unfold with minimal theatrics — the film’s most shocking development takes place entirely off-screen — as Meeks chooses instead to focus on their aftermath, bathing it in the cool blue light of early morning.
—Katie Rife, IndieWire, 25 Jan. 2026
About 30 players from the Houston Dynamo Academy will be featured in the movie, aided off-screen by their actual coaches.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 15 Jan. 2026
Rozanov is known for his cold and competitive exterior, which couldn't be farther from Storrie off-screen – soft and charismatic.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 14 Jan. 2026
Taylor is learning a lot from this whirlwind year about the craft of acting onscreen and the performances that a press tour necessitates off-screen.
—Lindsey Underwood, Vanity Fair, 13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Off-screen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/off-screen. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
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