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

For this, marigolds are great to include in your garden with rosemary to keep vegetable plants off-limits to pesky insects while adding livelihood with their colorful hues. —Ashlyn Needham, The Spruce, 16 Feb. 2026

Part of the appeal of vertical dancing is the entry into secret, off-limits spaces. —John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 15 Feb. 2026

Oil and gas drilling is now allowed on land and sea areas previously off-limits. —John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 13 Feb. 2026

If a trail is marked as off-limits, do not go there. —Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 9 Feb. 2026

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