off-limits

adjective

off-lim·​its ˈȯf-ˈli-məts How to pronounce off-limits (audio)
: not to be entered or patronized by a designated class (such as military personnel)
also : not to be interfered with, considered, or spoken of
the subject of sex was off-limits in her family

Examples of off-limits in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web That strike destroyed a building that was part of an Iranian embassy complex, the sort of facility normally considered off-limits to attack. Russell Goldman, New York Times, 16 Apr. 2024 Censorship has real health implications Discussions involving women’s bodily functions and health have long been seen as off-limits, even as women’s pain and other health concerns are more likely to be dismissed by healthcare professionals. Eva Rothenberg, CNN, 14 Apr. 2024 There was one stipulation that perhaps could only have come from the mind of a comedian as darkly ironic as Macdonald: The lone subject off-limits would be … the murders. Geoff Edgers, Washington Post, 12 Apr. 2024 The development underscores that while rifts have emerged between the United States and Israel over the war's conduct, the Biden administration views weapons transfers as off-limits when considering how to influence the actions of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. John Hudson The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 31 Mar. 2024 The development underscores that while rifts have emerged between the United States and Israel over the war’s conduct, the Biden administration views weapons transfers as off-limits when considering how to influence the actions of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. John Hudson, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024 And the upstairs, where Jodi roamed, was completely off-limits. Audrey Conklin, Fox News, 29 Mar. 2024 Now, after the discovery of two dead bodies and a bloodied hot tub, park authorities have deemed the beloved Kern County springs off-limits and have threatened to ticket trespassers. Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2024 The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has proposed opening state park trails currently off-limits to e-bikes. Jennifer Dixon, Detroit Free Press, 20 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'off-limits.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1945, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of off-limits was in 1945

Dictionary Entries Near off-limits

Cite this Entry

“Off-limits.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/off-limits. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on off-limits

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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