off-limits

adjective

off-lim·​its ˈȯf-ˈli-məts 

: 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

What money topics are absolutely off-limits for discussion? —Essence, 5 Sep. 2025

Photos, Documents, Reading Materials, and Artwork Old photos, documents, books, newspapers, magazines, artwork, and paintings are all off-limits for the attic, garage, or basement. —Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 3 Sep. 2025

But with the vast majority of Gaza declared off-limits by Israel, where are refugees able to go? —Aya Batrawy, NPR, 2 Sep. 2025

What To Watch For The unlocking schedule for the 80% of tokens still off-limits will be decided in a community vote, though no date has been set—a decision that will determine when the Trumps can start cashing in. —Zach Everson, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 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