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

Used as an alibi – an excuse to avoid blame – a diagnosis marks the whole territory as off-limits. — Deldhy Nicolás Moya Sánchez, The Conversation, 5 Nov. 2026

An injury has a way of making your normal routine suddenly feel off-limits. — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 26 Oct. 2026

In the final weeks of the 2026 midterms, political candidates have dragged their opponents’ families into campaigns, reflecting how divisive politics has become, with few barbs, if any, off-limits. — Dan Merica, Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2026

Walk through where things are and what’s off-limits, demonstrate the remotes and any special gear and say the quiet parts out loud before the first evening winds down. — Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 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